Can Treatments Other Than CPAP Machines Address Sleep Apnea?

 Posted on February 25, 2022 in Health Conditions

Following a major recall of CPAP machines, many people are unsure about their options for treating sleep apnea. The recalled devices, which were manufactured by Philips Respironics, contained a type of foam that could break down, and when small foam particles or certain types of chemicals entered a device’s airways, they could be inhaled by a device’s user. This could put users at risk of multiple types of injuries, including lung cancer and other serious illnesses. Unfortunately, many people have struggled to receive replacements for defective CPAP devices, leaving them uncertain about whether they should discontinue their use of a recalled device or go without treatment for sleep apnea. Fortunately, other treatment options may be available.

Alternative Sleep Apnea Treatments

Being able to treat sleep apnea effectively can be crucial for a person’s health. Most people with this condition suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, and the position of their tongue and jaw will interrupt their ability to breathe correctly while sleeping. This can result in a significantly reduced quality of sleep and cause drowsiness and fatigue. It can also lead to additional health issues, such as increased risks of strokes or heart attacks. 

Those who do not want to use a potentially dangerous CPAP machine or who are looking for options until a new CPAP becomes available may want to consider other treatments that can help address sleep apnea. These treatments may include:

• Weight loss - Obesity significantly increases the risks of sleep apnea. Regular exercise and maintenance of a healthy body weight may help improve the issues a person experiences while sleeping.
• Reduced alcohol use - While some people may use alcohol as a sleep aid, believing that a drink in the evening will help them get to sleep better, the use of alcohol may make sleep apnea symptoms worse. Those who reduce the amount they drink before going to bed may see some improvement in their symptoms.
• Sleep positioning - Sleep apnea symptoms are likely to be worse when a person sleeps on their back rather than their side. For those who have trouble sleeping on their side, positional devices may be used to ensure that they stay in the correct position.
• Oral appliances - Multiple types of devices may reduce obstructions in a person’s airways and help minimize sleep apnea symptoms. These include mouthguards that will hold a person’s jaw in the correct position or tongue retaining devices that keep a person’s tongue from blocking air that enters their throat.
• Nasal sleep apnea devices - As an alternative to electrical-powered CPAP machines, nasal expiratory positive airway pressure devices may be used to increase pressure as a person breathes while sleeping. These devices function as valves that limit the flow of air while a person is exhaling, forcing them to exert stronger pressure and keeping their airways open.
• Surgery or implants - Certain types of surgical procedures may help keep airways open while sleeping. These include the removal of tonsils or other tissues or repositioning of the jawbones. Certain types of devices may also be implanted that stimulate the nerves in the tongue while a person is sleeping, preventing it from blocking airways.

Contact Our CPAP Recall Lawyers

While some alternatives to CPAP machines may be available, they may not be as effective when treating sleep apnea, and in some cases, they have significant costs. Users of the recalled CPAP devices may have options for addressing the difficulties they have experienced, as well as any injuries they may have suffered due to the use of a defective device. Our CPAP injury attorneys can provide legal help in these cases, and we can discuss your legal options and help you determine the best ways to proceed. Contact us today to arrange a free case evaluation.

Sources:

https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/money/consumer/on-your-side/what-are-alternatives-cpap-machines-after-phillips-recall-sleep-apnea/77-361bc169-2057-4f2c-b0e8-101ebcfc8792

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-apnea/alternatives-to-cpap