A CPAP machine is one of the most effective treatments for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but it is not the right fit for everyone. Some people have trouble wearing the mask or find it difficult to adjust to sleeping with CPAP. "CPAP remains the gold standard for treating OSA, but successful treatment isn't one-size-fits-all," says Chen Wu, MD, Neurology at ARC South Specialty. "If you can't tolerate a CPAP machine, the first step is to see a sleep medicine doctor, who will work with you to troubleshoot the cause of the discomfort and find possible solutions. However, if the discomfort cannot be resolved, there are other proven treatment options that may be a better fit, depending on the type and severity of your sleep apnea."
Lifestyle changes may help some people
Healthy habits can improve mild sleep apnea and may make other treatments work better. Your doctor may recommend losing weight, changing your sleep position, avoiding alcohol before bed, or treating nasal congestion to help keep your airway open during sleep.
Oral appliance therapy may be an alternative
Oral appliance therapy (OAT) uses a custom-made device worn in the mouth while you sleep. It gently moves the lower jaw forward to help keep the airway open. Unlike a CPAP machine, it does not use a mask or air pressure.
OAT may be a good option for some people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea or for those who cannot tolerate CPAP machines.
Surgery may be an option for some patients
If other treatments have not been successful, surgery may be recommended. One newer approach is hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS).
Both Inspire® and Genio® are HGNS devices. They deliver gentle electrical impulses to the nerve that controls the tongue, helping the nerve muscles keep the airway open during breathing. While they work in similar ways, they differ in their design, surgical approach, and how they are used. An ENT can determine whether one of these treatments is appropriate for you.
"Inspire® and Genio® both use hypoglossal nerve stimulation, but they differ in how they're implanted and used," says John (Caleb) Simmons, MD, Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) at ARC South Specialty. "The best choice depends on several factors, such as your anatomy and the results of your sleep evaluation."
The right treatment depends on the cause
"Not all sleep disorders are treated the same way," says Dr. Wu. "Some people may benefit from lifestyle changes or medication for related sleep conditions, while others may need CPAP, oral appliance therapy (OAT), or surgery. The first step is finding the cause of your sleep problem so we can recommend the treatment that's right for you."
"The goal isn't simply replacing a CPAP machine," adds Dr. Simmons. "It's finding the treatment that addresses the underlying cause of your sleep apnea and helps you get healthy, restorative sleep. For many patients, that means exploring all of the available options to find one you can use successfully over the long term."
About ARC ENT and Neurology Sleep Medicine
ARC ENT and Neurology Sleep Medicine clinicians work together to diagnose and treat a wide range of sleep disorders. Whether you need help managing sleep apnea, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, or another sleep-related condition, our team can help determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend the most appropriate treatment. Learn more about both:
Book an appointment today
Dr. Wu has a Fellowship in Sleep Medicine from the University of Michigan. He is accepting new patients ages 18 and older at ARC South Specialty in Austin.
Dr. Simmons is accepting new patients of all ages at ARC South Specialty in Austin.
To make an appointment with either, use ARC MyChart or call 512-272-4636 (512-ARC-INFO) and choose option "1".