Why Medications Often Aren't Used To Treat Sleep Apnea
Medications are not usually used as the main method of treating sleep apnea. However, when you are having a difficult time getting sleep apnea under control, your doctor might recommend that you use one of several medications. But there are several reasons why medications are often not recommended.
The Effects of Sleep Apnea Medications
Some medications promote wakefulness and are commonly referred to as benzodiazepines. Those who take these medications are more likely to suffer from headaches, nausea and grogginess. They may also experience changes in the dreams they have.
Opiates are used for pain relief. However, they can also be prescribed to treat sleep apnea. They will usually cause sleepiness as a side effect, which may be useful for those who are struggling to sleep due to sleep apnea. They have an impact on how you breathe in your sleep, which can help treat sleep apnea.
Barbituates were used in the past to treat those who suffer from sleep disturbances, but have been phased out because they can cause dependence and can also have serious withdrawal symptoms.
Why Medication Often Isn't the Answer
Regardless of which prescription medication you use, it's best to try other forms of treatment before turning to a medication. They can suppress your breathing and make your upper airway collapsible. Because they suppress your consciousness, you will not be able to protect your airway. These treatments have an impact on your sleep architecture, which may cause your sleep to be disrupted even when you're getting a full night's rest.
Your sleep architecture is the pattern of sleep you undergo, which affects the quality of your rest. This consists of five stages of sleep. The goal is to reach each stage and have a night of sleep that is deep enough to leave you feeling refreshed.
Getting to the Root of the Problem
The best way to treat begin your sleep apnea treatment is to visit a sleep apnea treatment specialist so you may schedule a sleep study. A sleep study will involve you spending the night at a sleep center where specialists will observe how you sleep. They will monitor various signs, such as your respiration and heart rate.
With a sleep study, a specialist will be able to determine whether or not you have sleep apnea and how severe it is. During the first night at the sleep center, you may even begin treatment. This is often done using a positive airway device, which can treat sleep apnea without the side effects.
Share
