Patients Overview OSA Treatment Options

Treatment Options

Several options are currently available to treat OSA. All are intended to improve sleep quality and daytime function, as well as reduce the risk or severity of related health problems. We encourage you to talk with your doctor about choosing the treatment that best suits your individual situation. Some people might choose one option as a relatively short-term measure to control their OSA while they pursue a different measure for lifelong control.

Lifestyle Changes

There are several factors that can be contributing to your OSA, being overweight, smoking, drinking alcohol or using muscle relaxants or sleeping pills. All of these things can affect the airway or the brain’s control of the airway muscles during sleep. In some cases of mild OSA, eliminating these lifestyle factors may be the only treatment needed. Even people who require additional OSA treatment can improve by making these changes. Talk to your doctor about ways to manage the lifestyle factors that may be playing a role in your OSA.

Dental Devices

If you have mild to moderate OSA, your condition may improve with a custom-made device that is worn in the mouth during your sleep. These devices are designed to adjust the tongue or lower jaw position to keep the airway open. Their effectiveness in OSA varies and their cost may not be covered by all health insurance plans. Your doctor can help you decide whether this option is a good one for you to consider.

Airway Surgery

Surgical procedures, including laser surgery, may be used to treat OSA. Various success rates are reported and generally the success rates are higher for snoring than for OSA. It is difficult for doctors to predict which OSA sufferers may improve after airway surgery and by how much. More than one procedure may be required and other treatments in addition to the surgery may be required. If you would like to know more about surgical options, ask your doctor.

Medications

Although some medications have been used to treat OSA, sleep experts today generally agree that other treatments are safer and more effective for longterm treatment. Remember too that OSA may be caused or worsened by certain medications. Be sure to tell your doctor about all prescription or off-the-shelf medications you use.

CPAP Therapy

CPAP ("See-pap") is the acronym for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. CPAP is the most common, most effective form of OSA treatment. Thousands of people use it every time they sleep.

CPAP consists of a gentle stream of air that is directed through the airway during sleep. The pressure of the air stream holds the airway open and prevents apnea. Oxygen levels, blood pressure, heart function and sleep patterns are stabilized, resulting in a more restful sleep.