How is Obstructive Sleep Apnea treated?

Treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) can vary depending on the severity of the patient's condition. The most commonly used and routinely successful treatment for sleep apnea is called Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP), which delivers air through a special mask into the user’s nose and throat.

Proper use of a CPAP machine can keep the patient’s airways open and control sleep-disrupting apneas. It also can eliminate snoring, thus improving the quality of life of the bed partner. CPAP therapy is not a cure for OSA; however, it has been proven to be an effective treatment. The symptoms of OSA are improved or eliminated when CPAP is used as prescribed. CPAP therapy also can improve blood pressure and blood sugar.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea also is typically treated through lifestyle changes such as losing weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake at night or changing sleeping posture. For mild OSA, lifestyle changes may be a sufficient sleep apnea treatment.

Additional options for treatment that may be appropriate are:

• Wearing an oral appliance. These come in various forms and are designed to keep the patient's throat open while he or she is asleep.
• Corrective surgery. Your doctor may recommend surgery to remove excess tissue from the nose or throat that is blocking the upper air passages and causing OSA.