What is the treatment for OSA?

General measures

Things that can make a big difference include:
• Losing some weight if you are overweight or obese.
• Not drinking alcohol for 4-6 hours before going to bed.
• Sleeping on your side or in a semi-propped position.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

This is the most effective treatment and is used if other treatments are not successful. This treatment involves wearing a mask when you sleep. A quiet electrical pump is connected to the mask to pump room air into your nose at a slight pressure. The slightly increased air pressure keeps the throat open when you are breathing at night and so prevents the blockage of airflow. The improvement with this treatment is often very good, if not dramatic.
If CPAP works, (as it does in most cases) then there is an immediate improvement in sleep. Also, there is an improvement in daytime wellbeing as daytime sleepiness is abolished the next day. Snoring is also reduced or stopped. The device may be cumbersome to wear at night, but the benefits are usually well worth it. Comments like "I haven't slept as well for years" have been reported from some people after starting treatment with CPAP.
Surgery

Surgery is not often useful. However, sometimes an operation may be helpful to increase the airflow into your airway. For example, if you have large tonsils or adenoids, it may help if these are removed. This is more commonly done in children with OSA. If you have any nasal blockages, an operation may help to clear the blockage.