The following is from the website for the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institute of Health.
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How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?
Treatment is aimed at restoring regular nighttime breathing and relieving symptoms such as very loud snoring and daytime sleepiness.
If you have mild sleep apnea, some changes in daily activities or habits may be all that are needed:
* Avoid alcohol, smoking, and medications that make you sleepy. They will make it harder for your throat to stay open while you sleep.
* Lose weight if you are overweight. Even a little weight loss can improve your symptoms.
* Sleep on your side instead of your back. Sleeping on your side may help keep your throat open.
People with moderate or severe sleep apnea will need to make these changes as well. They also will need other treatments such as:
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
CPAP is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. For this treatment, you will wear a mask over your nose during sleep that blows air into your throat at a pressure level that is right for you. The increased airway pressure acts to keep the throat open while you sleep. The air pressure is adjusted so that it is just enough to stop these airways from briefly getting too small during sleep.
Sleep apnea will return if CPAP is stopped or if it is not used correctly. Usually, a technician comes to your home to bring the CPAP equipment. The technician will set up the CPAP machine and make adjustments based on your doctor's orders.
CPAP treatment may cause side effects in some people. Some side effects are:
* Dry or stuffy nose
* Irritation of the skin on your face
* Bloating of your stomach
* Sore eyes
* Headaches.
If you are having trouble with CPAP side effects, work with your sleep medicine specialist and technician. Together you can do things to reduce these side effects, such as:
* Using a nasal spray to relieve a dry, stuffy, or runny nose
* Adjusting the CPAP settings
* Adjusting the size/fit of the mask
* Adding moisture to the air as it flows through the mask
* Using a CPAP machine that can automatically adjust the amount of air pressure to the level that is required to keep the airway open
* Using a CPAP machine that will start with a low air pressure and slowly increase the air pressure as you fall asleep.
People with severe sleep apnea symptoms generally feel much better once they begin treatment with CPAP. When using CPAP, it is very important that you follow up with your doctor. If you are having side effects, talk to your doctor.
Mouthpiece
A mouthpiece (oral appliance) may be helpful in some people with mild sleep apnea. Some doctors may also recommend this if you snore loudly but do not have sleep apnea.
A custom-fit plastic mouthpiece will be made by a dentist or orthodontist. An orthodontist is a specialist in correcting teeth or jaw problems. The mouthpiece will adjust your lower jaw and your tongue to help keep the airway in your throat open while you are sleeping. Air can then flow easily into your lungs because there is less resistance to breathing.
Possible side effects of the mouthpiece include damage to your:
* Teeth
* Gums
* Jaw
Follow up with your dentist or orthodontist to check for any side effects and to be sure that your mouthpiece fits.
Surgery
Some people with sleep apnea may benefit from surgery. The type of surgery depends on the cause of the sleep apnea:
* Surgery to remove the tonsils and adenoids if they are blocking the airway. This surgery is especially helpful for children.
* Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a surgery that removes the tonsils, uvula (the tissue that hangs from the middle of the back of the roof of the mouth), and part of your soft palate (roof of your mouth in the back of your throat). This surgery is only effective for some people with sleep apnea.
* Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is a surgery that can stop snoring but is probably not helpful in treating sleep apnea. A laser device is used to remove the uvula and part of the soft palate. Because the main symptom of sleep apnea-snoring-is stopped, it is important to have a sleep study before having this surgery.
Tracheostomy is a surgery used in severe sleep apnea. A small hole is made in the windpipe and a tube is inserted. Air will flow through the tube and into the lungs. This surgery is very successful but is needed only in patients not responding to all other possible treatments.
Other possible surgeries for some people with sleep apnea include:
* Rebuilding the lower jaw
* Surgery of the nose
* Surgery to treat obesity.
Currently, there are no medications for the treatment of sleep apnea.
How will my doctor know if I have sleep apnea?
Your doctor will do a physical exam, ask you and your family about your sleep habits, and recommend a number of tests, including sleep recordings, to diagnose sleep apnea.
In sleep apnea, how does breathing restart after stopping during sleep?
Your brain tells your throat and mouth muscles to open your airway. This will send air to your lungs. Breathing is often started with a loud snort or choking sound.
I am using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) at night and I do not like it. Can I stop wearing it?
It is important to continue to use CPAP. If you have problems with CPAP, talk to your sleep medicine specialist about making adjustments. CPAP keeps your airway open during sleep so that air can get into your lungs. The use of CPAP decreases the symptoms and other medical problems associated with sleep apnea.
If I stop snoring, does that mean that I don't have sleep apnea any more?
No. Treating sleep apnea may help you stop snoring. Stopping snoring does not mean that you no longer have sleep apnea or that you can stop the CPAP.
I was just diagnosed with sleep apnea. What should I do?
The instructions listed below will help you improve your everyday life with sleep apnea. In milder cases, these things may be enough and CPAP may not be needed.
* Follow your doctor's directions for treatment.
* Follow up with your doctor to make sure your treatment is working.
* Do not drink alcohol or take medications that make you sleepy before going to bed.
* Sleep on your side instead of your back.
* Lose weight if you are overweight
* Quit smoking.
If you have a mild case of sleep apnea and follow these instructions, you may not need CPAP.