There are several sleep apnea solutions for mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea, especially if the OSA occurs primarily in the supine position (i.e., when sleeping on the back). For severe sleep apnea and pregnancy-related OSA, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the primary treatment of choice. CPAP treatment is also recommended for drivers of commercial vehicles with severe sleep apnea.
Treatments and sleep apnea solutions may include many different things. The most common cause of sleep apnea is obesity, so losing weight is important for those who are overweight. For mild sleep apnea, this might be enough.
Another form of treatment is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device. CPAP treatment requires the patient to wear a mask over the nose during sleep. The mask is connected by a hose to a small air pressure generator. When the mask is worn, the air pressure inside the throat is increased. The air pressure is adjusted so that it is just enough to prevent the throat from collapsing during sleep. The devices are much quieter now and there are numerous mask options that improve the fit and comfort.
An oral device is sometimes fitted by a dentist to treat sleep apnea and is worn much like a mouth-guard. They are designed to keep the mandible (jaw) and/or tongue in a forward position that allows the airway to remain open. Generally, oral devices work best for patients with mild to moderate OSA, patients who experience OSA mostly in the supine position (when sleeping on their backs).
A variety of surgical techniques have been used as sleep apnea solutions. Surgery is done to reconfigure the upper airway so that it remains open during sleep, but these procedures may not be helpful in every patient, and their long term effectiveness is unproven.
Gravity promotes sleep apnea when a person sleeps on his or her back (supine) so sleep position restrictions have been found to be useful. The ARES measures OSA by position, so if it shows difficulty only or mostly on the back, then simply avoiding sleeping on the back may be successful. Patients who have OSA primarily while on their back are also more likely to be helped by an oral appliance.
