08-30-2019, 11:20 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-30-2019, 11:28 AM by ragtopcircus.)
Tongue position and apnea
I’ve had undiagnosed, but undoubted apnea for years. Dad used a first gen CPAP brick, and as a widower, I found the idea of dating again with something like that horrifying.
I tried very hard to manage it with alternate techniques, and one of the more important factors was keeping my tongue forward. I found tongue advancement to be far more effective than mandible advancement, and I even practiced during the day, keeping my tongue forward and lips closed.
Unfortunately, I’m too good at getting out of the gadgets in my sleep, and my fiancee, a nurse, said it was time for me to try modern CPAP.
From reading here, it seems like the tongue trick to prevent airflow in the mouth is very beneficial. I’m confused though. Even breathing through my nose with lips closed, I breathe much better with my tongue forward and not sealed against the palate. I understand why pressure loss through the mouth is bad, but I also want the airway open. What am I missing?
RE: Tongue position and apnea
What's the question?
RE: Tongue position and apnea
(08-30-2019, 11:20 AM)ragtopcircus Wrote: From reading here, it seems like the tongue trick to prevent airflow in the mouth is very beneficial. I’m confused though. Even breathing through my nose with lips closed, I breathe much better with my tongue forward and not sealed against the palate. I understand why pressure loss through the mouth is bad, but I also want the airway open. What am I missing?
If you have a problem with mouth breathing, then the “tongue trick” would be beneficial if you can master it. By using the Tongue Suck method, you are not in any way blocking your airway.
Reading your post, it doesn’t sound to me like you have an issue with mouth breathing, so if you are successful with keeping your tongue forward and keeping your mouth closed, then there’s no problem.
But if you are letting air seep out your mouth most of the night, then you have to realize that your are not getting the best treatment from your Cpap, as the purpose of the air pressure is to splint your airway open.
RE: Tongue position and apnea
I do have a problem with mouth breathing, and have an Eliminator collar arriving tomorrow. I also got both P30i and F20 masks, so I have a fallback.
I’m hoping I can “eliminate” that in the future by practicing the tongue suck method. I guess I’m confused about how to position the tongue to seal off the mouth without the base of the tongue receding too far back into the airway.
RE: Tongue position and apnea
Opal Rose, if a person is using a full face mask there will be times when the persons mouth will be open during the course of the night. But the person is still getting good treatment as the full face mask is designed to allow for a person who mouth breaths to still get effective treatment. Correct?
RE: Tongue position and apnea
(08-30-2019, 01:20 PM)yankees123 Wrote: Opal Rose, if a person is using a full face mask there will be times when the persons mouth will be open during the course of the night. But the person is still getting good treatment as the full face mask is designed to allow for a person who mouth breaths to still get effective treatment. Correct?
That’s correct. You might experience a dry mouth though.
The OP didn’t state in his first post what type mask he was using.
RE: Tongue position and apnea
(08-30-2019, 01:15 PM)ragtopcircus Wrote: I do have a problem with mouth breathing, and have an Eliminator collar arriving tomorrow. I also got both P30i and F20 masks, so I have a fallback.
I’m hoping I can “eliminate” that in the future by practicing the tongue suck method. I guess I’m confused about how to position the tongue to seal off the mouth without the base of the tongue receding too far back into the airway.
The full face mask may be your best bet if you can’t control mouth breathing. And hopefully the Eliminator collar helps. Some folk also tape their mouth shut.
Here is the tongue technique. You can practice it anytime. It may take time to master. Your tongue won’t recede too far back into the Airway. If it did, you would be choking.
Tongue Suck Technique:
Place your tongue to the roof of your mouth with tip of tongue behind front teeth. Slowly suck upwards and “slightly back.”
This places the tongue in a natural position, with the back of tongue at the back of the throat so that if you open your mouth/jaw while sleeping, no air will escape.
