Sleep Apnea Treatment Options, Explained Plainly
This page is general information. It is not medical advice. Talk to your clinician about your own health. If you have chest pain, signs of a stroke or severe trouble breathing, call 911 or go to an emergency room.
If you search for sleep apnea treatment near you, the list of options can look long. This page puts them in plain order. It is not medical advice. Which treatment fits you is a decision for you and your clinician, after a sleep study.
First, Treatment Depends on the Diagnosis
Treatment follows testing. Cleveland Clinic describes how sleep apnea severity is measured with the apnea hypopnea index, which counts breathing events per hour of sleep. Mild is 5 to 14, moderate is 15 to 29 and severe is 30 or more. Your clinician uses that number, your symptoms and your health to talk through choices.
Positive Airway Pressure
NHLBI calls positive airway pressure the most common treatment for sleep apnea. A machine blows air through a mask to help keep your airway open while you sleep. There are three types.
- CPAP gives one steady pressure.
- APAP adjusts the pressure on its own during the night.
- BPAP changes pressure depending on whether you breathe in or out.
NHLBI notes side effects can include congestion or nosebleeds. If the mask or the pressure is the problem, tell your clinic. Often the fix is a different mask or setting, not quitting.
Oral Devices
NHLBI describes mouthpieces that either move the lower jaw forward or hold the tongue in place. They are custom fitted by dental professionals and are used for people who cannot tolerate positive airway pressure. They are a real medical device. A store bought mouthguard is not the same thing.
Lifestyle Changes
NHLBI says healthy lifestyle changes can be very effective. It lists regular exercise, a healthy weight, better sleep habits, less alcohol and caffeine, quitting smoking and sleeping on your side. These often work best alongside another treatment, not instead of it, unless your clinician says otherwise.
Cleveland Clinic adds that weight loss or surgical treatment may cure obstructive sleep apnea for some people, although not every type has a cure.
Medicine and Exercises
NHLBI mentions a weight loss medicine approved for adults with moderate to severe sleep apnea who also have obesity. It also lists orofacial therapy, which is exercises that strengthen the muscles of the mouth and face. Both are things to raise with a clinician, not start on your own.
Surgery
NHLBI lists several procedures. Examples are removing the tonsils, removing extra airway tissue, moving the jaw forward, nerve stimulation of the tongue and weight loss surgery. Surgery is usually discussed when other treatments have not worked or do not fit your anatomy. Our guide on what to do when you cannot tolerate CPAP covers the middle ground.
How to Choose a Place for Treatment
- Get the diagnosis first, from a sleep study read by a qualified physician.
- Ask who will follow up after treatment starts. Machines and mouthpieces need adjusting.
- Ask about cost and insurance before you sign for equipment.
- Be wary of any ad that promises a cure without testing.
If symptoms come back or change, call your clinic. NHLBI says untreated sleep apnea raises the risk of stroke and heart attack, which is why follow up matters.
Questions to Bring to Your Visit
A good visit leaves you with a plan you understand. These questions help.
- What type of sleep apnea do I have, and how severe is it?
- What are my options, and which one do you suggest first?
- What does each option cost, and what does my insurance cover?
- How will we know if the treatment is working?
- What should I do if I cannot stick with it?
Treatment Is Not One and Done
Sleep apnea can change over time. Weight, age, medicines and health all play a part, so what works now may need a tune up later. That is another reason to pick a clinic that follows up. Ask how often you will be seen in the first year and who to call between visits.
It also helps to tell your clinic what you actually do at night. If the mask leaks, say so. If you take it off at 3 a.m., say so. Nobody will judge you, and the details help your care team fix the real problem.
One more thing. Cost matters, and it is fair to ask about it early. Machines, masks, supplies, devices and visits can all have separate costs, and coverage differs by plan. Ask for numbers in writing before you commit, and ask your insurance plan what it needs from the clinic. If one clinic cannot explain its prices, you can call another.
Where NightWells Fits
We list providers by state and city so you can see who is near you. We do not treat anyone and we do not tell you which option is right. Use the directory to find a clinic, then ask your own questions.
Common Questions
What is the most common sleep apnea treatment?
NHLBI says positive airway pressure is the most common treatment. That includes CPAP, APAP and BPAP machines. A mask delivers air to keep the airway open during sleep. Your clinician decides which type fits your diagnosis.
Can lifestyle changes alone treat sleep apnea?
Sometimes they help a lot, but it depends on the person and the severity. NHLBI says lifestyle changes can be very effective and often work best with other treatment. Ask your clinician before you rely on them alone.
Keep Reading
- What to do when you cannot tolerate CPAP
- Home sleep test or a night in the lab
- Find a provider with our lookup
- Sleep apnea providers in Michigan
- Sleep apnea providers in Indiana
- Sleep apnea providers in Columbus
Sources
- NHLBI, Sleep Apnea Treatment
- NHLBI, Sleep Apnea
- Cleveland Clinic, Sleep Apnea
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Sleep Apnea
NightWells publishes information, not medical advice. Nothing here replaces being seen by a clinician who can examine you.
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