[Modern therapy of sleep apnea].

Abstract

There are different treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea, which are selectively used based on severity of sleep apnea, physical structure of the upper airway, and other medical aspects including co-morbidities. Weight loss as well as avoidance of alcohol and other CNS depressants is generally recommended. Positional training, oral appliances and surgery of the upper airways are used in selected cases. CPAP is the most effective method for treating obstructive sleep apnea irrespective of disease severity. In patients with central sleep apnea or Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSA/CSR) diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause is mandatory. Adaptive servo-ventilation appears to be an effective treatment modality for patients with complex sleep apnea and with CSA/CSR that is resistant to CPAP.

• Authors: V Töpfer, A Kirsten, H Woehrle, H Teschler, H Magnussen
• Journal: Der Internist (Internist (Berl)) Vol. 49 Issue 12 Pg. 1446-51 (Dec 2008) ISSN: 0020-9554 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Moderne Therapie der Schlafapnoe.
• PMID: 19037617 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Combined Modality Therapy
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Humans
• Intermittent Positive-Pressure Breathing
• Risk Factors
• Sleep Apnea, Central (diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology, therapy)
• Sleep Apnea, Obstructive (diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology, therapy)
• Treatment Outcome