Sleep Apnea & CPAP Management

What Is It?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much during sleep, causing your airway to narrow or close.

This leads to repeated pauses in breathing (sometimes dozens or even hundreds of times per night), drops in oxygen levels, and disrupted sleep.

Common symptoms include loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, morning headaches, and excessive daytime sleepiness.

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor may use a screening questionnaire (such as the STOP-BANG) and then order a sleep study. This can be done in a sleep lab (polysomnography) or at home with a portable device (home sleep apnea test). The test measures how many times your breathing stops or slows per hour of sleep (called the apnea-hypopnea index, or AHI). An AHI of 5–14 is mild, 15–29 is moderate, and 30 or more is severe.

How Is It Treated?

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): This is the most effective and most commonly recommended treatment. A CPAP machine delivers a gentle stream of air through a mask worn over the nose or mouth during sleep, keeping the airway open. It works very well when used consistently.
Weight loss: Losing weight can significantly improve or even resolve sleep apnea in overweight or obese individuals.
Oral appliances: A custom-fitted dental device that moves the lower jaw forward can be an option for mild to moderate cases or for those who cannot tolerate CPAP.
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS): A surgically implanted device that treats sleep apnea by stimulating the nerve that controls your tongue muscles. During sleep, the device sends mild electrical signals to the hypoglossal nerve, which causes the tongue to move forward and stiffen, keeping the airway open. HNS is an option for people with moderate to severe sleep apnea who cannot tolerate or have not been successful with CPAP.
Positional therapy: Some people have apnea mainly when sleeping on their back; sleeping on the side may help.
Surgery: In select cases, surgical options may be considered.

FAQs

Yes — CPAP works only when you use it. Consistent nightly use provides the best results for reducing symptoms and health risks.
There are many mask styles available (nasal, full-face, nasal pillows). Talk to your sleep provider about trying a different mask, adjusting the pressure, or using a heated humidifier. Alternatives like oral appliances or surgery may also be discussed.
Yes. Untreated sleep apnea is associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and daytime drowsiness that can lead to accidents.
In some cases, significant weight loss can resolve sleep apnea. For most people, it is a long-term condition that requires ongoing treatment.