Various forms of treatment are recognized for obstructive sleep apnea including CPAP therapy, positional therapy, oral appliances, weight loss, and surgical correction of any anatomical abnormalities.
ORAL APPLIANCES
This may help some patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. A dentist can make a custom-fit mouthpiece which will adjust your lower jaw and your tongue to help keep the airway open while sleeping.
SURGICAL OPTIONS
This may benefit some patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Surgery is done to shrink or remove excess tissue in the mouth, nose, and throat to widen breathing passages.
POSITION THERAPY
This may benefit some patients who have obstructive sleep apnea when sleeping on their back. Sleeping on your side will help keep the throat open throughout the night.
CPAP (continued positive airway pressure) therapy
This is the most common treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. This machine uses a variety of masks that fit either over the mouth and nose or just the nose. It blows air into your throat to help keep your airway open while you sleep. There are many types of CPAP machines and masks to allow flexibility and comfort for most patients.
WEIGHT LOSS
This can also benefit patients with obstructive sleep apnea. With obesity comes other health problems that are linked with obstructive sleep apnea including hypertension and heart problems. Losing weight helps eliminate excess fat that blocks the throat.
