Perhaps you are wondering what kind of treatment options APSS provides for our patients after we have determined the nature of their sleep problems.  Like a patient’s sleep problem itself, the solution for each patient is unique.  We do not believe in treating our patient’s problems with a “one size fits all” philosophy.  Rather, we carefully analyze not only the patient’s sleep problem, but also his or her medical history, job demands, and lifestyle.  We recognize that your sleep problem doesn’t just affect you, but it also affects those who care about you.  So we even take into consideration how a treatment will affect your relationships with those closest to you.

We will openly discuss all of the available options with you, wanting you to be fully informed and to be comfortable with any decision that is made.  While we certainly provide our professional input regarding the benefits and drawbacks for any given treatment, we also value your opinions and feelings as together we plan your course of treatment.

The treatment selected for you will also depend upon the nature of your sleep disorder.  All of the following are common treatments that APSS utilizes to combat a sleep problem and to help you improve your sleep:

 Positive Airway Pressure (PAP)

PAP is the most common and successful treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.  This small machine provides a steady stream of air to your throat through a mask that is worn while you sleep.  This keeps your airway open and allows you to breathe

normally.  We will select the right machine, mask, and settings to make it as comfortable and effective as it can be for you.  The three types of machines are:  auto-adjusting (APAP), bi-level (BPAP), and continuous (CPAP).

 Oral Appliances

Some cases of obstructive sleep apnea can be addressed through the fairly simple use of an oral appliance.  This is a device that is very similar to a sports mouth guard, and it is worn as you sleep at night. It keeps your jaw and mouth in a position

that allows your airway to stay open.  We will make sure that your appliance is sized and fitted to work just right for you.

 Surgery

In certain situations, we may determine that surgery is needed to alleviate the problem of obstructive sleep apnea.  While we do not perform the various surgical methods ourselves, we work with highly skilled surgeons to whom we will refer you. We will

communicate closely with you and with the surgeon during this process.

 Light Therapy

Some of our patients benefit from the use of home light therapy to normalize their sleep schedules.  We help them select the right unit for their needs and work closely with them to determine a therapy

schedule and to ensure that they have a through understanding of how and when to use their system.

 Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy

Our staff may work with you to help you overcome negative patterns of thinking and behavior that interfere with your sleep.  These forms of therapy have an excellent rate of success for some sleep

disorders, and they are also among the safest and healthiest options available.

     Medications

We also prescribe medications to help some of our patients sleep better.  While we don’t normally look at the use of drugs at the first option, we do recognize that it is sometimes the best option.  If this is the case in your situation, we will strive to

prescribe the lowest dosage for the shortest length of time, while still giving you the greatest opportunity for relief.