- 1). Check for signs of respiratory acidosis, which include restlessness, confusion, shortness of breath and cyanosis. Abrupt awakening accompanied by shortness of breath can be an indicator as well.
Snoring is the most common sign of sleep apnea. This is caused by the relaxation of the throat muscles (commonly termed obstructive apnea), improper brain signaling (central sleep apnea) or the mixture of both (complex sleep apnea). - 2). Use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine during sleep. This machine delivers air pressure through a mask and is effective for moderate to severe apnea. The pressure keeps your upper respiratory tract open, preventing acidosis by maintaining an airway accessible for oxygen entry and carbon dioxide exit.
- 3). Use supplemental oxygen. During sleep, it is advisable for those with mild cases of sleep apnea to use supplemental oxygen, which can be administered via a nasal prong or a face mask. This maintains adequate oxygenation for your cells and eliminates the chances of acidosis. It is important to use low concentrations of oxygen to maintain your hypoxic drive, which is what stimulates your body to breathe.
- 4). Wear an oral device to keep your throat open. These devices bring the jaw forward and relieve apnea. Some devices hold the tongue in a fixed position. This appliance should be fitted by a dentist who should collaborate with your doctor to ensure a safe and effective therapy.
- 5). Undergo a surgical procedure as a last resort. The goal of surgery is to remove excess tissue from the upper airway to maintain adequate airflow. Surgical procedures to get rid of apnea acidosis include uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), jaw correction, tracheostomy and the Pillar procedure. The type of surgery differs from case to case, depending on the cause of the apnea.
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