Don't Snooze on Sleep Apnea: 5 Treatment Options to Safeguard Your Health

Snoring is often joked about, but for many people, it’s a warning sign that something more serious is going on. Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes repeated pauses in breathing while you sleep, silently stressing the heart, brain, and body when it should be restoring and repairing itself.

During Sleep Apnea Awareness Month, our team at Respacare in Bridgewater, New Jersey, including Dr. Nehal Mehta and Dr. Prashant Patel, wants to shine a light on this serious health condition. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, sleep apnea can increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes.

Effective treatment options are available and can improve your sleep quality and health. Here’s what you can do to safeguard your health.

1. CPAP therapy

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the gold standard treatment for individuals with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It works by delivering steady air pressure through a mask to keep the airway open while you sleep. 

While CPAP is highly effective, some people find it uncomfortable. At our CPAP clinic, we take a personalized approach to treatment, helping you find the right mask and machine so you breathe comfortably and sleep soundly. 

2. Oral appliance therapy

Oral appliance therapy is another effective option for treating OSA. The custom-made device gently shifts the jaw forward to keep the airway open when you sleep. Many people find oral appliance therapy more comfortable than CPAP, making it a great alternative for those with mild to moderate sleep apnea or CPAP intolerance.  

We use SomnoGuard® oral appliances, which are custom-fitted for comfort and effectiveness, helping you get a better night’s rest. 

3. Zepbound®

Zepbound is one of the newest FDA-approved weight loss injections that’s helping many people get to a healthier weight. The FDA has also approved Zepbound to treat moderate to severe OSA. Excess body weight is a contributing factor to the sleep disorder, increasing pressure on the airway during sleep.

By supporting healthy, sustained weight loss, Zepbound can help reduce airway obstruction and improve breathing at night. We’re excited to offer this innovative treatment to eligible patients.

4. Inspire® therapy

Inspire therapy is a form of neuromodulation that uses mild electrical stimulation to keep the airway open during sleep. It’s for people with OSA who are unable to tolerate CPAP therapy. 

While safe and effective, it involves surgically implanting a device, making it a more invasive option that patients control using a handheld remote. 

5. Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes play an important role in managing sleep apnea and are often recommended alongside medical treatments. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and regular physical activity can significantly improve sleep and breathing.

We also help manage underlying health conditions that may affect nighttime breathing, such as respiratory allergies and asthma.

Sleep apnea is a serious condition with many effective treatment options. Don’t snooze on your sleep apnea. Let us help you find the right treatment. 

Call our office today or book an appointment online to take the first step toward better sleep and better health.