Sleep disorder treatments

Once you know why you can’t sleep, you can choose a sleep disorder treatment option that fits your lifestyle and overall health goals. Treatment options include noninvasive therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), CPAP, relaxation techniques and biofeedback, as well as medication and surgery.

Sleep disorder treatment options

Relaxation techniques

Relaxation techniques like guided imagery, deep breathing and progressive relaxation help to create a relaxed state that encourages sleep. You’ll learn simple yet powerful ways to calm the mind and body and reduce the stress that can cause sleep problems.

Psychological treatment

Psychological treatment can be very effective at managing conditions like insomnia and other sleep disorders. Through cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques, you’ll uncover the connection between your thoughts, behaviors and sleep patterns. You’ll learn how to reframe thoughts and behaviors that inhibit sleep, and choose new beliefs and behaviors that enhance the quality of your sleep.

Biofeedback

Sometimes sleep problems are caused by a physiological reaction to stress, such as a spike in blood pressure or increased heartbeat. Biofeedback therapy teaches you how to control these physiological processes in order to eliminate stress so you can sleep.

Using a specially equipped computer, you’ll get readings of stress levels in your body. From there, you’ll learn how to control things that are ordinarily involuntary such as blood pressure, heart rate and muscle tension. When you can recognize and relieve stress in the body through biofeedback, it’s much easier to relax and sleep.

CPAP

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a nonsurgical sleep disorder treatment option that’s been proven to treat sleep apnea. During CPAP sleep apnea treatment, you’ll wear a mask over your nose during sleep while using a CPAP machine. The mask pushes air into your airway so the tissues in the throat are supported and breath stoppage is prevented.

Medication for sleep issues

Medications can play an important role in managing sleep issues. If you have difficulty sleeping because of allergies, for instance, the right medication can enhance breathing and make sleep easier. You may also benefit from sleep aids that assist with falling asleep and staying asleep during the night.

Surgery for sleep disorders

Most people can effectively treat sleep disorders without surgery. If you do need surgery, however, it will most likely involve one or more of the following procedures:

• Correction of a nasal deformity
• Removal of tonsils
• Removal of adenoids
• Surgical placement of a sleep apnea treatment device

These surgical procedures reduce excess tissue in order to widen the airway and make it easier to breathe, which in turn makes it easier to sleep.