Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic disorder that disrupts sleep by causing one or more pauses between breaths while a person is sleeping. These pauses are caused when the airway becomes obstructed; they can last from a few seconds to minutes and can occur 30 or more times in a single hour. If this sleeping disorder is allowed to go untreated, it can result in high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and mood disorders.

At Glacier Headache & Sleep Medicine in Kalispell, MT, they have been successfully treating obstructive sleep apnea for over two decades. The most effective form of treatment has been CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure therapy.

Guide to Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea With CPAP

What Is CPAP?

Since obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a blockage in the airway, it causes the brain and body to become oxygen deprived. This results in individuals going from a deep sleep to a light sleep and waking up numerous time throughout the night. To correct this, CPAP uses a machine to increase the air pressure in the throat, preventing the airway from collapsing when the person breathes in.

How Is CPAP Beneficial?

Not only does CPAP effectively treat obstructive sleep apnea better than medication or surgical options, it also helps to prevent, and in some cases reverse, the conditions that are known to arise with the sleep problem over time.

For instance, the breathing pauses caused by sleep apnea put a lot of strain on the heart, and as such are linked to congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and irregular heartbeats. Using CPAP therapy can help to prevent these conditions from arising; whereas, those who let sleep apnea go untreated are at a higher risk of developing heart disease.

CPAP therapy also helps to reduce the risk of stroke, which is four times more likely in those who have sleep apnea. As sleep apnea also causes glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, there is also a higher risk for these individuals to develop Type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, CPAP can improve insulin sensitivity and lower this risk.

Once sleeping patterns have returned to normal, patients report less daytime sleepiness, higher concentration levels, and more emotional stability. Their partners also gladly report a reduction or complete elimination in snoring, helping them to sleep better as well.

If you or your partner thinks you might have sleep apnea, contact Glacier Headache & Sleep Medicine to find out how they can help improve your life. To speak with one of their specialists today, call (406) 752-1729. You can also visit their website to learn more about this and other sleeping disorders.