What Is Apnea?
7. Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Treatment of OSA includes avoiding the use of tobacco and alcohol. Medications that help relax the central nervous system such as muscle relaxants and sedatives should also be avoided. Weight loss is generally beneficial especially for those who are overweight.
Mandibular advancement devices and continuous positive airway pressure are generally effective for patients with OSA. Regular exercise even if there is no weight loss has been found to improve sleep apnea. Surgical treatments to improve the anatomy of the airway can also be beneficial. However, it should not be a frontline treatment. Some of the surgeries that can be performed are tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, septoplasty, turbinectomy, and more. Patients who are morbidly obese will benefit from bariatric surgery to help weight loss. Evidence to support medication use such as paroxetine, fluoxetine, tryptophan, and acetazolamide is insufficient.
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