How are sleep disorders treated?
Some sleep disorders such as narcolepsy or restless legs syndrome are treated primarily with medications. Others such as insomnia may be treated by a combination of patient education, lifestyle changes and selective use of medications.
All sleep-related breathing disorders can be effectively treated. Mild cases of sleep apnea may be treated with lifestyle changes, such as weight reduction, a change in sleeping position or abstinence from smoking, alcohol and medications. Dental appliances that hold the jaw forward during sleep may also be effective in mild to moderate sleep apnea. Surgery may be appropriate in some cases.
For most cases of obstructive sleep apnea, the gold-standard treatment is continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP), which is extremely effective in keeping the airway open and restoring normal, uninterrupted sleep. CPAP and other respiratory and home medical equipment are available through Samaritan Medical Equipment.
Hypoventilation in sleep can be treated with a breathing therapy known as Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP), which increases the amount of air inhaled when breathing efforts weaken.
In addition, the Sleep Disorders Center in Corvallis and the Sleep Lab in Newport both sponsor an ongoing support group, A.W.A.K.E., which brings together people with sleep apnea and other sleep-related breathing disorders to share ideas and education. |
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