Facebook Pixel Code
Penn Medicine Becker ENT

Call one of our locations now!

  • Cape May, NJ: (609) 899-7200
  • Freehold, NJ: (732) 375-9550
  • Hillsborough, NJ: (908) 271-2102
  • Lawrenceville, NJ: (609) 303-5163
  • Monroe, NJ: (609) 831-0779
  • Mt. Laurel, NJ: (609) 949-5940
  • Mullica Hill, NJ: (856) 478-3111
  • Philadelphia, PA: (215) 671-6330
  • Philadelphia, PA: (215) 929-8301
  • Plainsboro, NJ: (609) 831-0807
  • Princeton, NJ: (609) 430-9200
  • Princeton, NJ: (609) 759-8500
  • Robbinsville, NJ: (609) 436-5740
  • Sewell, NJ: (856) 589-6673
  • Voorhees, NJ: (856) 565-2900
  • Voorhees, NJ: (856) 772-1617
  • Yardley, PA: (267) 399-4004
Penn Medicine Becker ENT
Penn Medicine Becker ENT

  • About Us
    • Our Providers
      • Physicians
      • Nurse Practitioners
      • Audiologists
      • Speech-Language Pathologists
    • Reviews
  • Services
    • Allergy
      • Allergy & Sinus Comprehensive Care Program
    • Head & Neck
      • GERD
    • Nose & Sinus
      • Septoplasty
      • Sinus Surgery
      • Turbinate Surgery
      • Balloon Sinuplasty
      • Nasal Valve Surgery
      • New technologies
    • Pediatric ENT
      • Pediatric Snoring & Sleep
      • Ear Infections
      • Tonsil Infections
      • Allergy
      • Airway Problems
      • Pediatric Asthma
      • Symptoms
    • Snoring & Sleep
      • Snoring
      • Sleep Apnea
    • Ears and Hearing
    • Voice & Swallowing
      • Voice Disorders
      • Professional Voice
      • Swallowing Disorders
  • Locations
    • Cape May Court House, NJ
    • Freehold, NJ
    • Hillsborough, NJ
    • Lawrenceville, NJ
    • Monroe, NJ
    • Mt. Laurel, NJ
    • Mullica Hill, NJ
    • Philadelphia, PA – South Street
    • Philadelphia, PA – Walnut Street
    • Plainsboro, NJ
    • Princeton, NJ – Ewing Street
    • Princeton, NJ – Bunn Drive
    • Robbinsville, NJ
    • Sewell, NJ
    • Voorhees, NJ – Evesham Rd
    • Voorhees, NJ -Sheppard Rd
    • Yardley, PA
  • Patient Resources
    • Forms
    • Videos
    • Education
    • Book with Zocdoc (opens in a new tab)
  • Book an appointment
Penn Medicine Becker ENT
  • About Us
    • Our Providers
      • Physicians
      • Nurse Practitioners
      • Audiologists
      • Speech-Language Pathologists
    • Reviews
  • Services
    • Allergy
      • Allergy & Sinus Comprehensive Care Program
    • Head & Neck
      • GERD
    • Nose & Sinus
      • Septoplasty
      • Sinus Surgery
      • Turbinate Surgery
      • Balloon Sinuplasty
      • Nasal Valve Surgery
      • New technologies
    • Pediatric ENT
      • Pediatric Snoring & Sleep
      • Ear Infections
      • Tonsil Infections
      • Allergy
      • Airway Problems
      • Pediatric Asthma
      • Symptoms
    • Snoring & Sleep
      • Snoring
      • Sleep Apnea
    • Ears and Hearing
    • Voice & Swallowing
      • Voice Disorders
      • Professional Voice
      • Swallowing Disorders
  • Locations
    • Cape May Court House, NJ
    • Freehold, NJ
    • Hillsborough, NJ
    • Lawrenceville, NJ
    • Monroe, NJ
    • Mt. Laurel, NJ
    • Mullica Hill, NJ
    • Philadelphia, PA – South Street
    • Philadelphia, PA – Walnut Street
    • Plainsboro, NJ
    • Princeton, NJ – Ewing Street
    • Princeton, NJ – Bunn Drive
    • Robbinsville, NJ
    • Sewell, NJ
    • Voorhees, NJ – Evesham Rd
    • Voorhees, NJ -Sheppard Rd
    • Yardley, PA
  • Patient Resources
    • Forms
    • Videos
    • Education
    • Book with Zocdoc (opens in a new tab)
  • Book an appointment
Home / Blog / 5 Alternatives to CPAP for Sleep Apnea

5 Alternatives to CPAP for Sleep Apnea

Posted by Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy

Having a regular sleeping pattern is essential for living a full and healthy life. Disturbed sleep can lead to daytime fatigue, and difficulty in concentrating. One of the most common causes of disturbed sleep patterns is Sleep Apnea. Up to 12 million Americans suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea. OSA means that a physical obstruction is causing the airway to become blocked during sleeping, although the sufferer will be trying to breathe normally. Snoring is a common symptom of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

The apnea, pauses in breathing, can last for seconds or minutes, and can occur as often as 30-60 times an hour. The sleeper may be unaware of the problem, but in many instances will suffer significant fatigue over time. People who witness a person suffering from sleep apnea can find it frightening. Sufferers are sometimes treated using a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device. This is an air supplying mask worn during sleep. If you don’t like the thought of sleeping with a mask on, here are 5 CPAP alternatives.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Excessive weight, and alcohol consumption, have all been shown to be contributing factors to sleep apnea. Avoid drinking alcohol before you go to sleep, stick to guideline amounts, and adapt a healthier lifestyle. These can all help to reduce the severity of sleep apnea attacks, but in themselves are unlikely to provide a cure.

Oral Appliances

You may have heard of oral appliances being used as a treatment for snoring? As snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea, these appliances can also be used as a sleep apnea treatment. The mouth-guard like device is worn during sleep, and works by pushing the lower mandible forward. This helps to prevent the collapse of soft oral tissues that can then lead to airway obstruction. Oral appliances are widely available, but should only be used under the supervision of a health care specialist. Poor fitting can lead to unpleasant side effects such as jaw, face and dental pain, excessive saliva production, and gum irritation.

Palate Procedures

An unusually soft palate can lead to sleep apnea. By stiffening the palate, patients can achieve a better night’s sleep and reduce snoring. This is performed via different methods. Two common methods for palate stiffening are office procedures known as the Pillar Procedure, and RadioFrequency Ablation of the Palate. These simple procedures are performed out under local anesthetic, usually in the office, during which the palate is scarred. This makes the palate more rigid, and reduces the floppiness that can cause problems. The procedures can be highly effective, and each takes around 20 minutes to perform.

Tongue Base Reduction

Some people have a larger than usual tongue base. This can fall back during sleep, causing an obstruction of the airways called hypopharynx. This, in turn, can lead to the debilitating effects of sleep apnea. Radio Frequency Ablation can be used to reduce the base of the tongue, without the side effects of more invasive surgical procedures such as bleeding, and difficulty in swallowing.

Tonsillectomy and Oropharyngeal Surgery

Enlarged tonsils, or uvula, as well as an elongated palate may contribute to sleep apnea. When less invasive procedures do not work, surgical procedures may be effective. These procedures can range from simple tonsillectomy, to more involved procedures known as Uvula-Palato-Pharyngo-Plasty (or UPPP).

Sleep apnea can have a disruptive effect on the life of you and your partner, and may lead to serious health consequences if untreated. For this reason, patients who suspect sleep apnea should be evaluated and treated. Treatment options vary, and should be discussed with a physician.

Book Your Consultation Today

Improve the quality of your life

By submitting this form I agree to the Terms of Use (opens in a new tab)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Call now to schedule
your appointment.

Same day and evening appointments available. Mon – Fri : 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

COVID-19 Safety Updates

All Locations

Cape May Court House, NJ

307 Stone Harbor Blvd, Unit 1
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Phone: 609-899-7200

Freehold, NJ

303 W Main St, Suite 500
Freehold Township, NJ 07728
Phone: 732-375-9550

Hillsborough, NJ

719 US-206, Suite 101
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
Phone: 908-271-2102

Lawrenceville, NJ

2 Princess Road, Suite E
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Phone: 609-303-5163

Monroe NJ

350 Forsgate Drive, Suite 103
Monroe Township, NJ 08831
Phone: 609-831-0779

Mt. Laurel, NJ

5000 Dearborn Circle, Suite 100
Mt Laurel, NJ 08054
Phone: 609-949-5940

Mullica Hill, NJ

199 Mullica Hill Road
Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
Phone: 856-478-3111

Philadelphia, PA

1740 South Street, Suite 401
Philadelphia, PA 19146
Phone: 215-671-6330

Plainsboro, NJ

5 Plainsboro Road, Suite 360
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Phone: 609-831-0807

Princeton, NJ

256 Bunn Drive, Suite A
Princeton, NJ 08540
Phone: 609-430-9200

Robbinsville, NJ

One Union Street, Suite 203
Robbinsville, NJ 08691
Phone: 609-436-5740

Sewell, NJ

570 Egg Harbor Road, Suite B-2A
Sewell, NJ 08080
Phone: 856-589-6673

Voorhees, NJ

1001 Sheppard Road
Voorhees Township, NJ 08043
Phone: 856-772-1617

Yardley, PA

111 Floral Vale Blvd, Suite A
Yardley, PA 19067
Phone: (267) 399-4004

Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Sinus Surgery

Copyright © 2022. All Rights Reserved.
The Rhinoplasty Center (opens in a new tab) | Schrader Facial Plastic Surgery (opens in a new tab) | Rhinoplasty Archive (opens in a new tab) | Lozada Facial Plastic Surgery (opens in a new tab) | Becker Plastic Surgery (opens in a new tab) | Rejuvenation Resource (opens in a new tab)
Terms (opens in a new tab). Privacy (opens in a new tab). HIPAA (opens in a new tab). Sitemap (opens in a new tab).

Facebook (opens in a new tab) Instagram (opens in a new tab) YouTube (opens in a new tab)