Question: I have both obstructive and central sleep apnea. I use a CPAP machine at night, but I still have many days when I wake up tired. Is there any additional help for this condition?
Dr. Hibberd's Answer:
There are new devices available that you might want to ask your doctor about. One is the Bi-level positive airway pressure or BPAP. Unlike CPAP, which supplies steady, constant pressure to your upper airway as you breathe in and out, BPAP builds to a higher pressure when you inhale and decreases to a lower pressure when you exhale.
The goal of this treatment is to boost the weak breathing pattern of central sleep apnea. These machines can be set to automatically deliver a breath if the device detects you haven't taken a breath after a certain number of seconds. The second is adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV), and some studies have shown it to be more effective than the CPAP or BPAP for treating central sleep apnea.
For obstructive sleep apnea, explore possibility of surgery with your doctor.
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