Sleep apnea is a medical condition in which a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep when an airway becomes obstructed. This can occur hundreds of times during sleep, depriving the brain and body of much needed oxygen and denying a sufferer the benefits of a good night’s sleep. Left untreated, sleep apnea can cause a variety of negative effects, including daytime sleepiness, concentration and memory problems, and more serious conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and depression.

Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments tailored to address the specific causes of sleep apnea. There are three main categories of treatment for the millions of people diagnosed with sleep apnea, such as surgery to remove a physical obstruction found to be the cause of airway blockage. The great majority of those with sleep apnea can be treated with equipment that provides one of the two forms of positive airway pressure, such as:

1. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
A CPAP machine with a full mask or a nasal only mask works by continuously delivering positive air pressure to keep the airway open. Regardless of the phase of breathing, this pressure remains continuous. Use of a CPAP device requires the sleeper to remain on their back with a limited range of head motion. Users must also keep their mouth closed and breathe only through their nose.

2. Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP or BPAP)
BiPAP machines work on the same principle as CPAP machines, but are used when continuous pressure is not suitable for some individuals. BiPAP provides one level of air pressure upon inhalation and a different level of pressure upon exhalation. A BiPAP machine may be necessary for sleepers who have some type of respiratory difficulty, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or have experienced heart failure or a stroke.

3. Oral appliances
There is a great variety of these devices, and the nature of these devices crosses the boundaries between medical and dental treatment. A simple internet survey of the number of specific types of oral sleep apnea appliances available yielded no less than 36 separate options. There are two main categories of oral appliances. One category controls the position of the lower jaw to ensure an open airway. The second category of oral appliances seek to hold the tongue into a position that does not interfere with the airway at the back of the throat. As with CPAP and BIPAP devices, other existing conditions may dictate the suitably of either category for a prospective user.

An individual diagnosed with sleep apnea may find themselves using several different forms of treatment over time, based on the cause of their airway obstruction and their ability to adapt to a specific type of treatment or device. Regardless of the type of treatment, addressing sleep apnea is important to a person’s overall health and quality of life.