Surgery Vs. Cpap Machines For Sleep Apnea

By Author: Larry Chandler
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For many people who have recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea, the idea of going through a surgical procedure is more enticing than trying to sleep every night connected to a CPAP machines. The idea of the wearing a CPAP mask connected to a tube along with the required maintenance of the equipment seems to be too much for some people. However, a little bit of inconvenience or adjusting to new sleeping habits are generally better alternatives to any type of surgery to help alleviate sleep apnea.

Success Rates

Most experienced sleep experts will tell patients that when used properly and consistently CPAP machines have a 100% success rate. To quote Dr. David Rapoport, director for the New York University Sleep Disorders Center “CPAP always works. You may not like it, but it always works.”

In contrast, the success rates for surgeries to eliminate sleep apnea are roughly around 30%. To compound the problem, people with the most dangerous sleep apnea symptoms seem to get the least benefit from any surgical procedure. In fact, many ear, nose and throat ...
... doctors will recommend to patients that they first use a CPAP machine for a minimum of 6 months and up to a year before they can even be considered for surgery.

Chance for Reoccurrence

With surgery, there is a chance that the sleep apnea will be temporarily alleviated or reduced. However, there is a high occurrence of sleep apnea returning. Some patients have gone through extensive procedures such as removing both the uvula and tonsils, cutting on the soft palate and working on the septum only to find that the sleep apnea reoccurs in a few months. With CPAP machines, the patient merely has to use a CPAP machine and wear a CPAP mask each night in order to properly treat the condition. There is certainly a level of frustration especially initially when using a CPAP machine but the alternative is even less appealing.

Extreme Discomfort

Although the idea of surgery sounds quick and simple, most of the time it is not the case. When a child has a tonsillectomy, they get to stay home from school, eat ice cream and get pampered. They usually have a sore throat and then are back to normal in a week. The case for adults is quite different.

Just removing the tonsils without the other extensive procedures can be a significant ordeal. The recovery time is much longer which means time away from work and possible loss of income. In addition, adults heal much slower than children, making the healing process almost tortuous. Many people have reported losing in excess of 20 pounds after a tonsillectomy simply because they could not eat. With CPAP machines, there is no pain or healing process.

Moreover, some people claim that the CPAP mask is too uncomfortable or the tubes, restrictive. Many CPAP manufactures such as ResMed, Philips Respironics and Devilbiss have heard the cries of consumers and are now offering a wide range of masks to fit almost every style face and preference. The tubes can be positioned over the head or under the chin in order to meet the user’s needs. And, to reiterate an earlier point, CPAP machines work better than any other option currently available.

Larry Chandler is a freelance writer for The CPAP Shop a company that offers CPAP machine, CPAP masks and supplies. To learn more about CPAP mask visit their website Thecpapshop.com.