If you suffer from sleep apnea, you know how debilitating the condition can be. Constant fatigue, snoring, and waking up gasping for air can take a serious toll on your quality of life. While CPAP machines are a common treatment, many patients find them uncomfortable and difficult to use consistently.
That’s where positional therapy comes in – an innovative, CPAP-free solution offered by Dr. Doneskey at The Sleep Apnea and Facial Pain Center in Bellevue, WA.
Positional therapy is an effective way to manage sleep apnea without using a CPAP machine. It involves wearing a comfortable device that gently prevents you from sleeping on your back, which is the position most likely to cause your airways to become obstructed and trigger sleep apnea events.
For many sleep apnea sufferers, positional therapy can be a game-changer. When you sleep on your back, the effects of gravity can cause your tongue and soft tissues to fall back, obstructing your airway and triggering apnea events. By preventing back-sleeping, positional therapy keeps your airway open and allows you to breathe freely throughout the night.
Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of positional therapy for managing sleep apnea. One study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that positional therapy reduced the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI, a measure of sleep apnea severity) by over 50 percent in participants who were positional obstructive sleep apnea patients.
While back-sleeping is the primary culprit for many sleep apnea sufferers, side-sleeping is generally considered the best position for keeping your airway open. At The Sleep Apnea and Facial Pain Center, we recommend the following sleep positions for positional therapy patients:
Of course, everyone is different, and Dr. Doneskey works closely with each patient to find the optimal sleep position for their individual needs.
For many patients with positional obstructive sleep apnea (sleep apnea that primarily occurs when sleeping on their back), positional therapy can be just as effective as CPAP in reducing apnea events and improving sleep quality. However, CPAP may be more appropriate for those with severe, non-positional sleep apnea.
Most patients adapt to positional therapy within a few nights to a week or two. Your sleep dentist or sleep specialist can provide guidance and support to help make the transition as smooth as possible.
Yes, modern positional therapy devices are designed to be comfortable and minimally disruptive to sleep. Many patients find them much more comfortable than CPAP masks and machines.
In some cases, your sleep dentist or sleep specialist may recommend combining positional therapy with other treatments, like oral appliances or surgical interventions, for optimal results.
Don’t let sleep apnea continue to rob you of your energy, productivity, and quality of life. If you live in Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, or anywhere in the surrounding areas, now is the time to take action. Call The Sleep Apnea and Facial Pain Center at (425) 646-6409 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Doneskey. Under his experienced care, you can finally break free from the debilitating symptoms of sleep apnea and reclaim the restful nights you deserve.
No more waking up exhausted, no more snoring, no more gasping for air – just deep, rejuvenating sleep that will leave you feeling energized and ready to take on each new day. Don’t wait another night – contact us today and let Dr. Doneskey and his team help you start sleeping soundly again.