The best alternatives to CPAP therapy

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders in the country, with more than 18 million Americans suffering from some form. When faced with this diagnosis, the most effective treatment is a continuous positive airway pressure machine, or CPAP.
Understandably, many people find CPAP machines noisy, uncomfortable, or just plain cumbersome. There are a few alternatives to using a CPAP machine that you might find helpful, though it's important that you talk with your doctor before ditching a CPAP machine altogether. Join Dr. Breus as he explores some of the alternative methods for reducing the symptoms of sleep apnea.
➡️ If you want to learn more about each of these methods, visit our page at SleepDoctor.com: sleepdoctor.com/sleep-apnea/c...
🛒 If you need supplies for your CPAP machine, we have a great selection over at our site: shop.sleepdoctor.com/
0:00 Why CPAP is the Gold Standard
0:55 Mandibular Advancement Device
1:39 Tongue Retaining Device
2:23 Innovative Treatments for Sleep Apnea
2:59 Surgical Interventions
3:11 Inspire
3:39 Reduce Your Body Weight
😴 Michael Breus, Ph.D., is a double board-certified clinical psychologist and sleep expert. He's been in practice since 1999 and helped thousands of patients improve their sleep. Dr. Breus has written five books on sleep and conducted over 1,000 interviews to the press and public.
#cpaptherapy #snoring #osa

[@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.

[@kathy.7475]

My doctor wouldn’t even order a sleep study for me. He said I was too thin to have it. My son-in-law has the MAD and it’s been great for him. No more snoring like a freight train every night. He loves it.

[@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?

[@BruskKurdi]

its food just control if u can otherwise u will never loose weight same problem with me

[@jackbaldwin3649]

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

[@TheSleepDoctor]

Dont know enough about it yet.

[@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!

[@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

[@gosteampunkdotcom]

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.

[@rluigi1965]

Very clear thanks

[@TheSleepDoctor]

You are welcome. Thanks for your support

[@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?

[@ChroniclesofGhoul]

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

[@helenathomas547]

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

[@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. 😢😢😢

[@AtTheLake91]

5’1” @135 lbs is about 15 lbs overweight unless you’re athletic and muscular.

[@kattmilk]

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

[@carolemcdonough8121]

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]

@@carolemcdonough8121 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. 🙏🏾

[@carolemcdonough8121]

@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.

[@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

[@BruskKurdi]

you think that work for me ?

[@feiwong70]

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

[@TheSleepDoctor]

That is one way, yes.

[@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.

[@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.

[@markputters9005]

Losing weight won’t help with my Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

[@reyt2304]

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

[@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!

[@gosteampunkdotcom]

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.