CPAP (constant positive airway pressure) therapy is one system that is regularly prescribed to many of the 18 million sleep apnea sufferers in the United States. The CPAP therapy machine incorporates a small air compressor which provides a positive air pressure to the sufferers airway, thus keeping the airway clear, and reducing the apnea episodes.

The cpap therapy works by providing a pressurised airflow to the airway, reducing the chances of a apnea episode occurring by the soft tissues of the throat and soft palate collapsing and causing an obstruction. The pressurised mask can sometimes make exhalation a little uncomfortable, and some patients report headaches and throat soreness when using the treatment. There are however, many cpap alternative, and we will take a look at some alternative solutions that may be of use to the sleep apnea patient.

A really simple treatment, and one that should be considered first, is the simple strategy called positional therapy. By adjusting the sleeping position of the sufferer, positional therapy can offer great relief. A patient can wear a special padded shirt, or use a sleep apnea wedge of pillow to modify their sleep position and reduce their symptoms.

Gravity is the enemy during apnea episodes, when the soft tissues of the throat block the airway. By inclining the body a little, the tissues are less likely to obstruct the airway and the patient will sleep more soundly. This type of positional therapy is generally used effectively for obstructive sleep apnea. The Central sleep apnea form of the condition needs to be treated differently, as it occurs for different reasons. Positional therapy, although not effective on it's own for central sleep apnea, can be useful if used in conjunction with other treatments.

BiPAP therapy is also used as a cpap alternative. BiPAP (BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure), like CPAP, creates a positive airway pressure to assist the sleep apnea sufferer to breathe. The great thing about BiPAP however, is that it monitors the patients breathing, and reduces the airflow when the patient exhales, making breathing a lot easier. So BiPAP offers an equally effective treatment to CPAP, treats obstructive and central sleep apneas, AND makes the exhalation process a lot more comfortable for the user. A win-win situation. There is however another type of sleep apnea, called complex sleep apnea. Both cpap and bipap systems are less effective in the treatment of this condition.

There is yet another treatment that is similar to BiPAP. This is called ASV (Adaptive Servo-Ventilation) therapy. Currently in it's experimental stages ASV (Adaptive Servo-Ventilation) sleep apnea treatment is providing good results for complex sleep apnea sufferers. There is FDA approval for this therapy, but the scientific results were not widely published which kept the treatment on an experimental footing.

These are just a few of the alternatives to CPAP. Many patients get on well with it, but it is not for everyone. Consult with you doctor to try to find the best treatment that is right for you, with effective results and reduced side effects.