Sleep Apnea Treatment: Options to Help You Breathe Easier and Sleep Better

Overview

Sleep apnea is a common sleep-related breathing disorder where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when throat muscles relax and block the airway. Less common types include central sleep apnea (caused by the brain not sending proper signals to breathing muscles) and mixed sleep apnea (a combination of both). Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious long-term health complications, but effective treatments are available to reduce symptoms and lower risk.

Signs & Symptoms

• Loud, chronic snoring
• Gasping, choking, or pauses in breathing during sleep (often noticed by a partner)
• Excessive daytime sleepiness, even after a full night of rest
• Morning headaches, dry mouth, or sore throat
• Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, or irritability
• Waking up frequently during the night to urinate

Causes & Risk Factors

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much to keep your airway open during sleep. Central sleep apnea happens when your brain fails to send signals to the muscles that control breathing. Risk factors for developing sleep apnea include:

• Excess body weight, especially around the neck
• Narrow airway or enlarged tonsils/adenoids
• Family history of sleep apnea
• Smoking or frequent exposure to secondhand smoke
• Nasal congestion from allergies or sinus issues
• Age over 40 (though sleep apnea can occur at any age)
• Male assigned at birth (people assigned female at birth have higher risk after menopause)

Diagnosis

If your provider suspects sleep apnea, they will recommend a sleep study (polysomnogram) to confirm the diagnosis and determine severity. This test measures your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, brain activity, and sleep stages while you sleep. You can complete the test at a certified sleep clinic, or use an at-home sleep test for mild to moderate suspected cases.

Treatment & Management

Treatment for sleep apnea is tailored to your specific type, severity, and personal preferences. Common options include:

• Lifestyle changes: Weight loss, side sleeping, avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bed, and quitting smoking can reduce mild sleep apnea symptoms.
• Positive airway pressure (PAP) devices: A CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine delivers steady air pressure through a mask to keep your airway open during sleep. APAP (auto-adjusting PAP) and BiPAP (bilevel PAP) devices are also available for different needs.
• Oral appliances: Custom-fitted mandibular advancement devices (MADs) gently shift your lower jaw forward to keep your airway open, and are often used for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
• Positional therapy: Devices that alert you when you roll onto your back during sleep, for people who only experience apnea in the back-sleeping position.
• Surgery: Procedures like uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) to remove excess throat tissue, or Inspire therapy (an implanted device that stimulates airway muscles) are options for people who cannot tolerate PAP devices.

Living With It

Adjusting to sleep apnea treatment can take a few weeks. It is normal to experience mild discomfort with a PAP mask or oral appliance at first—work with your provider to adjust settings or fit for comfort. Regular follow-up appointments with your sleep specialist will help ensure your treatment is working effectively, and you should update your provider if your symptoms change or you develop new health conditions.