Are Alternative Sleep Apnea Treatments Safe and Effective?

Recent headlines about green tea purporting to help with the cognitive effects of sleep apnea bring to light the growing concern of alternative treatments. These treatments are not as effective as one might think because they are likely only to help to reduce perceived effects and have little to no effect in reducing the medical risks linked to the disorder. The fear is that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) sufferers will discontinue the use of proven therapies such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or, as some say “the mask” or “the machine,” and move to alternative treatments that are not nearly as successful.

These alternative treatments may reduce some symptoms of OSA. They more than likely work best when used with other more effective treatments. Patients should work with their physicians to determine which treatment options are best for their specific case. We’re going to examine some of these alternative treatments, keeping in mind that not all of these treatments claim to treat OSA but are still believed by some patients to help:

• Green Tea
  • Just how thirsty are you? You would need to consume six to twelve cups a day in order to show some effect.
  • Existing studies have only been completed in rats.
  • Dr. David Gozal and his research team at the University of Louisville, who performed the study, are certainly respected in the field of sleep medicine. However, Dr. Gozal himself wrote in an email “If you have sleep apnea, use your (breathing) machine while you are sleeping. However, if you also drink green tea, this may help you feel better” (SLEEPzine 2008).
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• BreatheRight strips (www.breatheright.com)
  • BreatheRight strips are worn on the nose and help to open nasal passages.
  • BreatheRight does not claim to reduce OSA, only snoring.
  • BreatheRight strips have not been studied with subjects who have OSA.
  • The company’s website claims “85% of snorers find relief,” not sleep apnea patients.
  • Most respiratory disturbances that occur during the night are caused by collapses of the airway, not by nasal passages.
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• CPAP Pro (www.nomask.com)
  • It is advertised as “no mask”.
  • Straps are replaced with a bite guard to hold everything in place. Any movement of the jaw or mouth can cause air to leak or the mask to fall off.
  • The major problem with this product is that it leaks air. Leaks prevent the effective pressure, prescribed by a physician, from reaching the patient.
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• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
  • UPPP is a painful surgical procedure that removes the uvula, parts of the soft palate, and tonsils.
  • This procedure is about 50% effective in treating sleep apnea.
  • Symptoms may return approximately two years following surgery when scar tissue has formed.
  • Some patients think of it as a ‘cure’ and no longer think OSA is an issue.
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• Palate implants (Pillar procedure)
  • Implants are placed into the palate.
  • The procedure has been found to reduce respiratory events in 44% of subjects with mild to moderate apnea. It is not recommended as a treatment for severe sleep apnea.
  • The few studies performed have only used a small number of subjects.
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• Provigil (www.provigil.com)
  • This medication is used to decrease daytime sleepiness.
  • The company’s website disclaimer clearly states: “In patients with OSA, PROVIGIL is used along with other medical treatments for this sleep disorder. PROVIGIL is not a replacement for your current treatment”.
  • Patients may no longer feel the sleepy during waking hours. Therefore, they feel no need to continue treatment. Medical risks associated with OSA could still affect the patient.

Luke Goodpaster
Director of Research
Sleep Wellness Institute