Medical community turning to new obstructive sleep apnea treatments.

Moral of the story: Less traditional methods are being examined to help with sleep apnea- a common comorbidity of obesity.

Source: AMA Morning Rounds 2/2/10

Medical community turning to new obstructive sleep apnea treatments.

The Wall Street Journal (2/2, Mahrer) reported that as manufacturers work on streamlining the often bulky and expensive breathing masks used during CPAP treatments to help patients with obstructive sleep apnea, some dentists are turning to appliances that reposition the jaw. Meanwhile, physicians are either practicing various surgical techniques or encouraging their patients to make certain lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or changing one's sleep position. As a last resort, an Australian paper appearing in the BMJ indicates that learning to play the didgeridoo may actually help too.