The best alternatives to CPAP therapy

[@TheSleepDoctor]

➡ If you want to learn more about each of these methods, visit our page at SleepDoctor.com: sleepdoctor.com/go/cpap-alternatives-the-best-alternatives-to-cpap-therapy-youtube

[@lisa__rcs]

I’m 29 and was just diagnosed after finding your website. When I told my doctor, she was shocked and said I was too young and thin to have sleep apnea. I bet there are tons of people who are undiagnosed because of that type of thinking.

[@TheSleepDoctor]

You're absolutely right. Sleep Apnea is wildly under-diagnosed. Good for you for seeking treatment!

[@mcr969]

what treatment plan did you go with and how is it working out?

[@HoppyDayFarm]

they have been undiagnosed for decades. If a General Practitioner doesn't know that, I would get a different doctor. It's not just weight. It's Jaw, Tongue, Tissue and more.

[@cinnabar546]

Im the same… doc said it was genetic but none in my family have it

[@robertp.wainman4094]

I understand Upper Airways Resistance Syndrome is even less often diagnosed - and it often affects the younger and slim.

[@osheros]

Weight is most likely the cause of my snoring and mild apnea but it's really hard to lose weight when you don't sleep well. Thanks for covering some alternatives to the CPAP device.

[@willn8664]

have you tried a change in diet and exercise as well?

[@trextrextrex]

Dr Ken Berry. Carivore Diet

[@osheros]

@@trextrextrex I'm trying carb cycling and it's working pretty well for me. Down 20 pounds so far.

[@SquareNoggin]

I'm very skinny but snore really bad. I wonder if I've got this.

[@drewg7036]

This is true. I used to be very fit and didn't have too many issues with being awake, but then I went back to college and went through some stressful stuff and now I am the heaviest and tiredest I've ever been. I've fallen asleep in the gym many times

[@rc2257]

Thanks for this video. I’m actually having a good experience with CPAP, but I like keeping up to date on alternatives, as well as developments in sleep apnea science. Your channel really helps me be a better informed sleep apnea patient.

[@donnabrooks1173]

Do you wear a mask or nasal pillows?

[@rc2257]

@@donnabrooks1173The ResMed AirFit P10 Nasal Pillow Mask. For me, it's extremely light, quiet, and comfortable.

[@TheSleepDoctor]

Really great to hear it. Thank you!

[@emroach5945]

Fantastic explanations! Thank you for this info

[@TheSleepDoctor]

Hi! Thanks for watching - So Glad it was helpful!

[@aprilmartin3442]

My dentist has been telling me for years how small my mouth and throat are. When I got diagnosed with sleep apnea last year I was told to lose some weight. Dont get me wrong, Ive got some to lose, but I am starting to realize these things are linked. my small airway has caused my sleep apnea which has led to high blood pressure diagnosis I got 2 yrs ago (perfect bp all my life), and increase in cortisol has lead to weight in my stomach and 30 lbs. Not to mention I went through menopause this year and that causes yiur muscles (throat included) to be come less firm. I love my doctor, but sometimes its up to us to be our own advocates and figure out the root of the problem.

[@judidifonzo2539]

Since starting with using a CPAP, I'm getting migraines. I seem to be well rested but I don't function well with a migraine. Interesting that you suggested going to an ENT. They are treating me for eustachian tube dysfunction. I see a different doctor for my apnea.

[@light_angel.23]

I get migraines too. Even before starting the CPAP. But unfortunately, I never adjusted to the CPAP mask. I kept taking it off every 2 or 3 hours. I no longer have it because my insurance required at least 4 hours a night. I had to return it. The migraines are terrible. The more hours I sleep the worse the migraines are. I’m gonna see a pulmonary and sleep medicine specialist, but the appointment isn’t until February of next year. I feel screwed. My sleep apnea isn’t being treated and pills don’t do much against my migraines

[@kattmilk]

I'm a petite, 5'1, 135 pound female. I've been diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, and have been using a CPAP machine for over 4 years. I guess I must be an anomaly because I'm nowhere near overweight, don't smoke, or drink alcohol. 😢😢😢

[@kattmilk]

@@AtTheLake91 Yes, I've always been athletic & muscular. I play sports.

[@Sept2cfm1953]

I'm 5 ft and 115 lbs, and I've been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, but only when I sleep on my back.

[@kattmilk]

@@Sept2cfm1953 Same here. It's the worst when I sleep on my back! Feels like I'm drowning! Even with my cpap machine, I still wake up with what I call "oxygen deficit" episodes if I sleep on my back. 🙏🏾

[@Sept2cfm1953]

@kattmilk I haven't tried the CPAP yet. I sleep on a few pillows, so I tend to sleep on my side. The test showed I only have it when I sleep on my back, but it's severe.

[@kattmilk]

@@Sept2cfm1953 I'm a side sleeper as well. But I would highly recommend asking your doctor about a cpap machine. Most people who have severe sleep apnea are at higher risk. 🙏🏾

[@laithfraij]

Hello Dr., my problem is I see daily vivid dreams and see people don't think about .. causing waking up exhausted and needing more sleep, I'm so tired of this and need deep sleep

[@prolevelconcreting799]

Hi I was getting vivid dreams and waking , it was from napping I nap because I’m tied but the napping was creating bad dreams so no naps stopped my bad dreams

[@jackbaldwin3649]

Very helpful...thank you! Do you have an opinion on the INAP device?

[@TheSleepDoctor]

Dont know enough about it yet.

[@feiwong70]

How does weight cause OSA? Is it the weight around the neck that it collapses airway

[@TheSleepDoctor]

That is one way, yes.

[@HoppyDayFarm]

How do they select patients for Inspire and determine that it is the tongue, not the jaw, or Uvula, or a combination. Is there a cost to remove it, if it doesn't work?

[@kathyshively1353]

I am starting the at-home Sleep Apnea testing. I'm anxious because I have sensory issues and cannot stand anything touching me when I'm sleeping, the room has to be dark and there cannot be any noise. If I should test positive for sleep apnea, I'm worried that the CPAP won't work for me. I am 73 years old and am not interested in having any surgery on my tongue. I am on Prednisone and have gained 25 lbs this last year. My doctor says that once I stop taking it I will lose the weight but in the meantime, I have to deal with this. Do you think the implant would be a good alternative?

[@ChroniclesofGhoul]

Why does nobody talk about cpap can raise optical pressures causing glaucoma?

[@dazone705]

Thanks for the great video doctor. What about positional therapy. I have severe sleep apnea my AHI when I sleep on my back is 47, when I sleep on my side it's 2. Switch to sleeping on my side two years ago to improve my OSA, and to enhance glymphatic drainage. My sleep doctors seem to show no interest in positional testing or therapy, I insisted during my last PSG that they test me on my side I highly recommend the medcline pillow, it relieves shoulder stress, and makes it almost impossible to roll over on your back

[@user-cz1gu8nl9o]

A brain surgeon says the brain cleans and refreshes better with side sleeping and uses a pillow to keep her on her side all night also.

[@martech360]

According to my sleep test I have been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea in 2019 Tried the cpap half a dozen different times but just can’t do it & quit after numerous sleepless nights. I feel helpless & have given up.

[@moninebota835]

Is there any reason you quit using it? Is it because it feels awkward wearing it or Is it because it doesn't work?

[@martech360]

@@moninebota835 I wake up numerous times during the night. Tried all kinds of masks, pressures ect…no go for me

[@TheSleepDoctor]

Ask your doc about a referral to a dentist for an oral appliance for sleep apnea

[@firstgear-sm8su]

You might consider combining oral appliance with sleeping on your side

[@tracesprite6078]

I suggest that you buy a triangle shaped wedge pillow and put it under your mattress. This raises your upper body slightly and reduces snoring. My daughter used to hear my snoring from 2 rooms away. Now she doesn't hear me.

[@helenathomas547]

I just found out that I have sleep apnea. My doctor told me to use a oxygen constantrainer

[@reyt2304]

Tonsillitis is supposed to be the best you get it fixed and you never snore again

[@amommamust]

My husbands sleep apnea went away on the carnivore diet.

[@zorrozorro8886]

Really? So interesting. What could be the reason? Lower blood sugar level?

[@michael_mathieu_vibrant_health]

I am four years Carnivore myself but still holding out for the improvement and sleep! :-)

[@michael_mathieu_vibrant_health]

@@zorrozorro8886 it could be the plant toxin called oxalate. My friend Sally K Norton author of the book toxic superfoods had a sleep study years ago showing she was waking up 29 times an hour. When she went on a low oxalate diet her sleep improved tremendously. I don't know if she was diagnosed with central sleep apnea or obstructive but we do know that Oxalate is a neurotoxin.

[@Chronoman0]

@@zorrozorro8886 Maybe because of low iron without all the meat. This affects muscle tone in all muscles.

[@aprilmartin3442]

Probably bc with fewer carbs there is less inflammation

[@reyt2304]

Just use a roll pillow that does the head lift .Cpap should be a choice not a forced treatment on the working man.

[@dsddavesmith]

I need help if you don't mind. I took an at home sleep test that my general practitioner prescribed and he told me I have sleep apnea and I've been on CPAP ever since; about three years. But without the CPAP, I only have trouble breathing through my nose. If I breathe through my mouth, I can breathe freely. Is there something I could use; even just for camping or power outages, that would let me sleep without my CPAP? Or should I see an ENT specialist to find out more about my blockage? Maybe there's a surgery? My doctor doesn't know all that much about sleep issues

[@gypsyfrank4826]

Don't become a mouth breather. Been one for 50 years, very bad for you. Mouth breathers get 20% less oxygen to start with. Find some YT videos explaining the dangers of it. Use chin strap to hold mouth shut on cpap. Been on cpap 40 years, have tried most of these devices; was thinking about Inspire, but has serious problems, docs are overselling it. Surgery success ain't great. Not overweight, just have small throat, fat tongue, thick neck. Know pro horn players that are athletic, thin-and despite playing serious music for a living, still are on cpap. Makes no sense.

[@110americalovingpatriot2]

Aint no way in hell my wife would let me shrink my tongue 🤔

[@TheSleepDoctor]

Thanks for watching!

[@gildalim1763]

The oral device costs thousands. Insurance will only cover a third...

[@TheSleepDoctor]

CPAP is usually covered and it will usually depend upon your company. Most will also finance a mouth piece, if needed. But I hear you, its $$$.

[@cleanqueen75]

Inspire….oh hell no!

[@user-cz1gu8nl9o]

Overweight is a side effect of sleep apnea. Your body cannot burn calories without oxygen. It's like trying to burn a fire without oxygen. My dad got on a cpap machine and lost 40 lbs in the first month just because he could breath and sleep at night.

[@TheSleepDoctor]

Thats awesome. With that type of weight loss, he may need to get the PAP recalibrated, and lower his pressure.

[@rluigi1965]

Very clear thanks

[@TheSleepDoctor]

You are welcome. Thanks for your support