Treatment Options for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Lifestyle Modifications for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

A variety of lifestyle modifications can help patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) to better control their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Patients with mild OSAS usually respond best to conservative measures which include:

• Weight loss - For patients who are overweight of obese, weight loss can lead to a signfificant improvement in symptoms.

• Smoking cessation - Patients with OSAS who are smokers should be encouraged to "kick the habit" since smoking is a recognized risk factor for not only OSAS but also for also serious diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer.

• Treatment of nasal disorders - Treatmeent of certain nasal disorders that reduce the amount of air flowing into the upper airway (e.g., deviated septum; allergic rhinitis; nasal polyps) can help reduce the symptoms of OSAS.

• Avoid alcohol and sedative medications before going to sleep because these substances promote snoring and narrowing of the upper airway.

• Body position during sleep - Stuides have shown that the severity of OSAS may be related to body position during sleep and that the supine position (lying on your back) during sleep increases airway resistance and reduces the volume of air in the lungs. Patients with OSAS should, therefore, avoid the sleeping in the supine position. This can be accomplished simply by inserting a tennis ball into a sewed-on pocket on the back of the pajamas. Raising the head of the bed to avoid sleeping in the supine position is also an option.