Bye-Bye CPAP, New “Provent Therapy” May Benefit Those With Sleep Apnea

New treatment options may be available for sleep apnea patients

Approximately 40 million Americans alone suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It is a sleeping disorder where breathing stops while sleep, causing snoring and lack of sleep due to struggling for air.

As a result, many people with OSA wake up with headaches, fatigue, irritability, and have difficulty concentrating. In addition to that, it is also one of the causes for people’s learning and memory difficulties, sexual dysfunction, and potentially depression. Besides that, studies have also shown that it is associated with high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, stroke and diabetes.

Today, the standard treatment for this disorder is the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy. A lot of patients have expressed their dislikes towards the therapy because of the use of a mask to be worn that is connected to a blower. They find it hard to sleep at night wearing a mask.

There is good news for OSA patients, however.

A new therapy called the “provent therapy” no longer requires a mask. Instead, a disposable device is placed in each nostril. The device sticks very well to the skin of the nostril and has a hypoallergenic adhesive. The device uses the person’s own breathing capabilities to produce EPAP (expiratory positive airway pressure).

Experts explain that this is a resounding result for people who wanted their OSA resolved without having discomforts towards the therapy.