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Over the Counter Sleep Apnea Devices

Many people who suffer from a sleep disorder first try to find help on their own before seeking the advice of a medical professional. Which means, looking for over the counter methods and for people with sleep apnea that means an oral appliance or CPAP.

The reason sleep apnea happens is, the throat muscles tend to relax more than they should when sleeping causing the airways to narrow. The tongue also relaxes and will collapse at the back of the throat blocking your airway. this can result in heavy snoring and frequent waking through the night. So you never get the deep sleep required for good health.

There are three types of devices that can help here. tongue retaining appliance, Mandibular repositioning appliance, and a CPAP machine. We will touch upon each of these so you have an idea of what they do and help you decide on a direction to take.

The tongue retaining appliance is designed to keep the tongue clear of the airway by suctioning it forward. This will allow your airway to remain unblocked which in turn will prevent you from snoring and the frequent waking that goes with it.

The Mandibular repositioning appliance repositions the jaw by pushing the lower half of the jaw forward instead of the tongue. But this still has the same affect on the tongue by making sure it is kept in a fixed position and doesn’t block the air passage.

There are many different styles of these two appliances out there and they come in adjustable and non adjustable types. This is a good way to test the waters to see what might work for you. It is also less expense then going to a dentist to have something custom made. There are some things you should think about before buying one of these devices.

First, an over the counter product is not custom fitted and may be uncomfortable. Second, they lack an opening you can breathe through which forces you to breathe through your nose. For most people this is not an issue but if you have nasal blockage such as a deviated septum this going to be a problem.

If you go with a custom made device you will eliminate these problems. However even with a custom made device some common complaints are mouth and jaw soreness at first and an increase in salivating while sleeping.

If you have found an over the counter appliance that works for you, but is still not comfortable, you can opt for a custom made device. Talk with your dentist. If he cannot make one for you, he should be able to recommend someone who can. What is the best thing about going with a custom made device? It is contoured to your mouth so it should be very comfortable. Also, they will be able to put breathing holes where you want them.

The last device we will talk about is the CPAP machine or (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). The CPAP machine shoots a steady stream of air usually through a mask into the airway. Most people suffering from Apnea is due to lack of oxygen because of the narrowing of the airway. As we mentioned earlier, this happens as the muscles in the throat area relax and the airways narrow.

Usually you will go through a sleep study to determine the extent of your Apnea. Once this study is complete and it has been determined that you need a CPAP machine, a professional will determine the air pressure necessary to help your particular situation. This could change as needed. Depending on each individuals needs, it could be anywhere from a light stream to something more aggressive.

The main thing people have to adjust to is the type of mask they need to wear while sleeping. Although this could take some getting used to, the benefits of natural and healthy sleep far outweigh any upfront distress.

Unlike the CPAP, that delivers air through a steady stream through out the night. An automatic CPAP is available which administers air by detecting your breathing and responds accordingly. This device does not apply a steady stream of air. Instead, the machine will adjust the stream as necessary by sensing your breathing.

The last is the BI-PAP or (Bi Level Positive Airway Pressure). Instead of a steady stream of air or a breathing sensor like the automatic, this machine will make the use of two different air pressures. One pressure is used during inhalation and a lower pressure is used when the patient is exhaling.

No matter what type of device you use, make sure you have consulted with a professional. Get the proper advice. Start out with an over the counter appliance to determine if it is the right direction before you spend more than you need to on something that is custom made.

We hope this information was helpful. Check our other articles for more information on sleep issues.

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