CPAP vs. Surgery in Snoring and OSA

The Snorers and Sleep apnea sufferers have no other choice but to use either CPAP or undergo surgery. There are nearly 200 Snore cure remedies available in the market, claiming “Snoring cure” but not very effective in severe cases.

CPAP Therapy is commonly prescribed and it is widely accepted all over the world. It has many advantages over other forms of treatment for snoring and sleep apnea. Patients take few days to get used to use this wonderful machine.

What is CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

A CPAP unit blows air into your nose using a small air compressor. A facemask or a set of nasal plugs is used to deliver air through your nose. The pressure of the air is adjusted to give adequate airflow to the nose to allow you to breathe vital oxygen supply and air into your lungs. There are manual and automatic machines, with or without humidifiers.

Disadvantages of CPAP

CPAP is commonly used for sleep apnea patients but some patients find it impossible to use. They find the mask uncomfortable and unnatural. Turning over in bed, and having ones movements restricted by the hose make it worse. CPAP users suffer countless problems when using the machine like headache, dry mouth, sinusitis, nasal congestion and claustrophobia. Most

CPAP has no battery back up and in power outage; they wake up in the middle of night. Carrying the mask and machine where ever you go is another hassle, also not able to use it while traveling in train or flight make it difficult for business travelers.

Ones self-image of wearing the mask and hose looks like an “elephant man”. The sex life is miserable. It is not at all romantic or sexy to wear this in young and old alike!!!!! The children often get frightened.

Because CPAP is to be worn for the rest of a patient’s life the compliance in use reduces drastically in 60% of patients according to some survey. If you don’t use it everyday, your life could be in jeopardy. One get CPAP dependant rest of their life and even the brain stem centers which control breathing becomes less active.

In my opinion, it is indicated in those where surgery cannot be performed, like old invalid patients, having medical problems and children. But it has definite role in Central apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea can only be cured by removing the obstruction. That is the main objective for which complex surgical procedures are selected. There is no tailor made “one “surgical procedure that can cure the OSA. Please understand CPAP is not the answer for everyone, there is alternative treatment and cure.

Surgical remedy

Surgery has its limitations, not any one particular surgery can cure the complex issue of OSA. Different surgical techniques are available.

Of course the “pain factor” is one that frightens the patient and also the morbidity of surgery of its magnitude and carries high risk. Upper airway surgery is a challenge to anesthetist, if general anesthesia is opted. I would say “without pain, no gain”.

Common CPAP used  India.

I recommend  DeVilbiss, Resmed and Philips Machines which are freely available in India. Cost between Rs30-75,000 depending upon the models.