What are the treatment options for obstructive sleep apnoea?

Treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea may include airway pressure therapy, a fitted mouth device, lifestyle support, positional changes or selected specialist procedures. The suitable approach depends on how your breathing is affected during sleep, your symptoms, your medical history and what you can use consistently.

Obstructive sleep apnoea happens when the upper airway narrows or closes repeatedly during sleep. Continuous positive airway pressure, often called CPAP, uses a mask and gentle airflow to hold the airway open. It is commonly considered when a sleep assessment shows clinically significant breathing interruptions or when daytime sleepiness is troublesome.

A mandibular advancement device is a custom mouth device that brings the lower jaw forward during sleep. It may be considered for some people who cannot tolerate CPAP or whose airway obstruction is suitable for this option. Treating nasal blockage, reviewing sedating medicines and changing sleep position can also form part of an individual plan.

A sleep clinician may arrange a sleep study before deciding on treatment or to check whether an existing plan is working. Bring details of snoring, witnessed breathing pauses, morning headaches, sleepiness, current medicines and any problems with a mask or mouth device. These details help distinguish comfort issues from a treatment that needs adjustment.

If weight is contributing to airway narrowing, a structured weight-management plan may support other treatment choices. Avoiding alcohol close to bedtime and sleeping on your side may reduce obstruction for some people, but they do not replace prescribed therapy when it is needed. Surgery may be discussed when there is a correctable anatomical cause or when other options have not been suitable.

Arrange medical assessment if loud snoring is paired with witnessed pauses in breathing, gasping at night, unrefreshing sleep or persistent daytime sleepiness. Seek urgent care if sleepiness makes driving, operating machinery or staying awake in situations where alertness is essential unsafe. Contact your clinician if CPAP causes ongoing skin soreness, severe dryness, panic or you are unable to use it, as the equipment or settings may need review.

Ask what your sleep results show, whether CPAP or a custom mouth device fits your situation, and how treatment benefit will be reviewed. You can also ask whether nasal symptoms, jaw problems, medicines, sleep position or weight-management support should be addressed alongside the main treatment.