Improving Your Therapy and Healthy Living Tips

OASYS® is committed to your continued success in the treatment of your sleep apnea. The following material has been developed to help you improve the comfort and quality of your therapy.

If you have a specific question or problem but don't find an appropriate solution here, speak to your sleep physician or dentist or you may want to contact us. We'll do our best to help you find an appropriate solution. We also encourage you to consult your health professional for advice.

Getting the most from your OASYS® system

Many patients that start treatment with the OASYS® system adjust immediately to sleeping with an oral device. Many patients report feeling truly rested for the first time in many years and consider the OASYS® a product that has made a significant impact on their quality of life. Some may find the change difficult while others may give up and allow a serious health problem to worsen. Many patients, however, carry on with treatment because they believe that the road to treatment may not always be a smooth one and the benefits far outweigh minor set backs along the way.

Effective therapy

  • Firstly, recognize that the goal of your therapy is a simple one: You want to stop the effects of your sleep apnea and allow yourself to get healthy sleep.
  • Use your OASYS® whenever you sleep, day or night. Since the OASYS® is comfortable and fully portable you can use your therapy whenever you feel the need to sleep. If you travel a lot, you will find the OASYS® product to be a true lifesaver since the product allows you to sleep in any position, requires no electricity, requires no attachments and can fit discretely into your luggage.
  • The more you engage in your sleep apnea therapy, the more you will achieve in managing your sleep apnea

Support

As with any new treatment started to treat a medical condition, you may feel somewhat overwhelmed about your therapy and the condition you are being treated for. We encourage you to enlist the help and support of your spouse, partner, best friend or relative. Many patients have less trouble with therapy when their spouse/partner takes an active role in the therapy.

Aside from the support of family, friends and loved ones, you might also find it helpful to establish yourself in support network and explore information from one of the following organizations:

Healthy Lifestyle

Using the OASYS® product is only one part of the solution for the treatment of your sleep apnea. In addition to regularly using the OASYS® every time you sleep, you should also do your part by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Below are some healthy lifestyle habits you should consider integrating into your sleep apnea treatment:

  • Lose excess weight. Even a slight loss in excess weight may help relieve constriction of your throat. If you don't already have a weight-loss program, talk to your doctor about the best course of action for weight loss.
  • Avoid alcohol and medications such as tranquilizers and sleeping pills. These relax the muscles in the back of your throat, interfering with breathing.
  • Sleep on your side or abdomen rather than on your back. Sleeping on your back can cause your tongue and soft palate to rest against the back of your throat and block your airway. To prevent sleeping on your back, try sewing a tennis ball in the back of your pajama top.
  • Keep your nasal passages open at night. Use a saline nasal spray to help keep your nasal passages open. Talk to your doctor about using nasal decongestants or antihistamines because these medications are generally recommended only for short-term use.
  • Keep an open and constant communication with your doctor or specialist. Engage in regular conversation so that your doctor or specialist can monitor your improvements and can warn you of risks, if there is any. This also allows you to inform them of any problem that may arise. You must keep in mind that the success of treatment and management of obstructive sleep apnea lies partly in the doctor-patient communication.