Sleep apnea is a disorder that makes breathing stop repeatedly during sleep. Although this chronic condition cannot be cured, there are effective ways to manage symptoms, including weight loss and other lifestyle changes, surgical and medical interventions, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.^1,3

This article looks at common treatments, risk factors and complications that can come with untreated sleep apnea.

Treatment options for different types of sleep apnea

Treatment options vary depending on the type of sleep apnea you have. 

Obstructive sleep apnea 

OSA is a common sleep disorder that affects an estimated one billion people worldwide.² In this form of the disorder, the throat muscles and tongue block the airway during sleep, which makes breathing stop and start repeatedly.³

Treatment options for OSA include lifestyle changes, CPAP therapy, oral appliances (devices worn in the mouth), and surgery.³

Central sleep apnea (CSA)

People with CSA also stop breathing while they sleep. However, this form of sleep apnea is caused by an issue with the signals coming from the brain, rather than the throat muscles. Several factors can contribute to CSA, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, certain medications, and even high altitudes. Less commonly, CSA emerges for no clear reason.⁴

If CSA is the result of a health problem, treating the underlying issue is often the first course of action. Other options include CPAP therapy, supplemental oxygen, medications, or implantable devices.⁴

Mixed sleep apnea (MSA)

This occurs when you have a mix of OSA and CSA.⁵

Can any of the common risk factors be ‘cured’?

Established risk factors for sleep apnea include being overweight, anatomical differences in the head and throat, and the use of certain medications. Some of these underlying causes can be managed or minimized, with the potential of reducing or resolving many sleep apnea symptoms.^1,3 

Weight-related sleep apnea

Being overweight or obese can significantly increase the risk of developing sleep apnea, with research finding that OSA is twice as common in obese or severely obese people. While losing weight doesn’t usually cure sleep apnea, it may be able to reduce the severity of symptoms.¹ One study found that weight loss of 10 to 15% decreased OSA by up to 50% in some patients.⁶

Sleep apnea due to anatomical issues

Anatomical factors such as a thick, short neck, narrow airway, receding chin, large tongue, and enlarged tonsils can all increase the risk of sleep apnea. In some cases, surgery may be able to resolve one or more of these issues, which could help reduce sleep apnea symptoms.^1,3

Common treatment options

There are several common treatment methods for sleep apnea, including day-to-day management, surgery, and lifestyle changes. While recommended treatments vary depending on the underlying causes, severity of symptoms, and other medical issues, most people start with non-invasive options such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy rather than surgeries. 

Because everyone is different, there’s no single treatment that works for everyone. Even surgery isn’t guaranteed to resolve sleep apnea or reduce symptoms.¹

CPAP therapy

CPAP therapy is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. In this treatment, the user wears a mask attached to a CPAP machine, which directs a continuous stream of pressurized air into the nose and mouth. This prevents the airway from collapsing during sleep, which can reduce or eliminate apnea episodes.^1,3

For detailed information on this therapy, go to our article What is CPAP therapy and how does it work?

Oral appliances

Oral appliances, sometimes called dental devices or mouthpieces, are physical devices that sit inside the mouth, holding the jaw or tongue in place so they don’t block the airway during sleep. 

They fall into two main categories: mandibular advancement devices (MADs), which pull the lower jaw forward, and tongue-stabilizing devices (TSDs), which use suction to hold the tongue in place.^1,3

Invasive treatment options

Surgeries and options such as tissue shrinkage or nerve stimulation are more invasive than CPAP therapy or oral appliances, so they tend to be a last resort after those options have failed.¹

Weight loss surgery

Weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, can help with sleep apnea symptoms by reducing weight and taking pressure off the chest, throat, and airway. Because it’s a major surgery, it comes with risks, so it’s generally only considered after a patient has tried lifestyle changes or other treatments.^1,3

Upper airway surgery

Upper airway surgery involves widening the airway by removing obstructive tissues or reshaping parts of the throat.^1,3

Jaw advancement surgery

Jaw advancement surgery, also called maxillomandibular surgery, involves repositioning the upper and lower jaws so they’re less likely to obstruct the airway. While this type of surgery can help with sleep apnea symptoms, it’s a major operation that includes a hospital stay, weeks or months of recovery time, and potential side effects.^1,3

Tissue removal or shrinkage

Tissue removal and tissue shrinkage both reduce bulk in the airway, which can help alleviate sleep apnea symptoms. Tissue removal is surgical, while shrinkage – also called radiofrequency ablation – uses radio waves to target and shrink tissues in the back and sides of the throat.^1,3

Nerve stimulation

Nerve stimulation – or hypoglossal nerve stimulation – this involves placing a device under the tongue, which monitors breathing and stimulates the nerves with each breath. 

While nerve stimulation can be an effective way to treat sleep apnea, placing the device does involve surgery.¹

Lifestyle changes that can help

Some lifestyle changes may help with managing sleep apnea alongside treatment.^1,3
 These include: 

• Weight management
• Alcohol reduction
• Smoking cessation
• Sleep hygiene improvements

Potential complications of untreated sleep apnea

Leaving sleep apnea untreated can lead to a range of health issues and complications, both short-term and long-term. 

Short-term health risks

Sleep apnea impacts sleep quality, which can cause issues such as drowsiness and fatigue, difficulty with concentration, irritability, and depression.³

Long-term health problems

Serious, long-term health problems associated with sleep apnea if untreated include liver and heart issues, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.³

Frequently asked questions

Can weight loss cure sleep apnea?

Weight loss is unlikely to cure sleep apnea, but it may help reduce the severity of symptoms alongside other treatment.⁷ 

Is surgery a permanent cure for sleep apnea?

Surgery can help resolve sleep apnea in some patients, but it’s not a guaranteed cure.⁸

How do you know if your sleep apnea Is gone?

While sleep apnea is a chronic condition that usually can’t be completely cured, treatment can help reduce symptoms significantly. There’s no single test for sleep apnea – instead, people may self-report symptoms or go through a sleep study to measure the severity after treatment.⁹

This content is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for the medical advice of one’s healthcare provider.