Will CPAP Stay Forever – The Future Of Sleep Apnea Treatment.

For many patients, sleeping with a mask every night is intimidating. They frequently malfunction as a result of leaving too much room for accidents that result in air leaks. For each of these reasons, some people actually wind up not utilizing their CPAP machines. Lately, several health hazards have been associated with CPAP machines.

In June, Philips announced it was recalling CPAP machines because polyester-based foam used inside the devices to cut noise can break down and be ingested by users. Researchers have linked the substance to some cancers and other illnesses.

In Pennsylvania court alone, Philips NV has faced more than 100 U.S. ongoing lawsuits for alleged CPAP machine issues.

Fortunately, advances in medical technology and research are constantly being made, and there is something that will eliminate the need for obstructive and often faulty CPAP masks. Sleep medicine is rapidly evolving in ways that improve therapy accessibility, practicality, and patient-friendliness. The most exciting development is the development of newer, more comfortable treatment options that may completely replace CPAP over the next few years. 

A New Generation of Sleep Apnea Treatments

Maskless CPAP by Airing

The world’s first battery-powered, hoseless, cordless, and maskless CPAP device is developed by the new firm “Airing.” Not only is it the tiniest nasal pillow available, but it also does away with the need for a mask, hose, and the actual CPAP machine.

Since its introduction in May 2015, it has been tested to ensure that it is suitable for usage by the general population.

This extraordinary and tiny piece of medical equipment was created by Stephen Marsh and utilizes sophisticated “micro-blower” technology. Its creation has been dubbed a “happy accident.”

Marsh didn’t intend to develop a compact, portable CPAP equipment, but after designing and developing strong micro-blowers, he began to consider alternative applications for them. His brother, who suffers from sleep apnea but did not use a CPAP machine, served as an inspiration.

Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation

Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation is another sleep apnea treatment that has also shown promising results. Inspire includes stimulating the throat muscles with pacemaker technology, which causes them to contract and prevents the tissue from collapsing into the airway. The body is surgically fitted with a pulse generator. The device provides an electrical signal to the throat muscle when it detects the patient is inhaling, forcing it to pull up and backward, opening the airway.

Inspire doesn’t require external equipment, unpleasant masks or air leaks, or willing compliance, unlike PAP. The only thing patients need to do to prevent apneas is to go to sleep.

Dental appliances

Dental appliances are also improving as a sleep apnea therapy option. They don’t require surgery and are easier to use than a PAP machine.

These patient-friendly solutions will likely replace PAP as the most efficient sleep apnea treatment as they are improved and become more widely used.

Surgery

One treatment option for sleep apnea is surgery. Some individuals seek a cure or remedy for their sleep apnea so that they won’t need continued therapy. Upper airway surgery is one such approach.

Airway enlargement surgery

Most of these treatments try to widen the airway in the region behind the mouth and tongue. To do this, tissue is typically removed or rearranged, so the airway stays open while the pharyngeal muscles relax during sleep.

However, not everyone responds well to these techniques. It is frequently necessary to examine the airway while sedated to ascertain who will respond well to them and which method is most appropriate.

Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation

Over the past four to five years, a novel method of treating sleep apnea termed hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS) has become available. To open the airway, a nerve stimulator attached to the nerve that controls the muscle beneath the tongue is placed under the skin of the chest as part of this therapy.

What does this mean for people who have sleep apnea?

Does this imply that you should stop using your CPAP machine? Still not.

PAP therapy is currently the best course of action, and it is unquestionably preferable to being untreated for sleep apnea. Your health will be severely compromised by sleep apnea, which increases your risk of developing significant health issues like heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and even death. Similar to how exercising, eating healthily and quitting smoking are essential health behaviors, using the machine is a necessary and responsible component of sustaining a healthy lifestyle.

The bottom line

Sleep apnea is harmful and, if untreated, could be fatal. Hopefully, there will be even more convenient and practical solutions in the future.