Overnight Sleep Study (Polysomnography)

This test helps detect the presence and severity of sleep apnea. During sleep, it measures your:

• Eye and muscle movements
• Brain activity ( electroencephalogram)
• Heart rate
• Breathing (pattern and depth)
• Percent saturation of your red blood cells with oxygen

Other Studies

In addition to sleep studies, your doctor may order:

• Blood tests (eg, to check thyroid function)
• Electrocardiogram
• Pulmonary function tests

Behavioral Therapy

• Lose weight if you are overweight.
• Avoid using sedatives, sleeping pills, alcohol, and nicotine, which tend to make the condition worse.
• Try sleeping on your side instead of your back.
• Place pillows strategically so you are as comfortable as possible.
• For daytime sleepiness, practice safety measures, such as avoiding driving or operating potentially hazardous equipment.

Mechanical Therapy

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) entails wearing a mask over your nose and/or mouth during sleep. An air blower forces enough constant and continuous air through your air passages to prevent the tissues from collapsing and blocking the airway. In some cases, dental appliances that help keep the tongue or jaw in a more forward position may help.

Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be recommended. It is most often beneficial in pediatric patients.

Types of surgery that may be done to treat severe cases of sleep apnea include:

• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty—The doctor removes excess soft tissue from the nose and/or throat.
• Maxillomandibular advancement—The jawbone is repositioned forward.
• Tracheotomy —For life-threatening cases of sleep apnea, an opening is made in the windpipe to allow for normal breathing.

Bariatric surgery may help with weight loss in some people who are obese. This surgery may reduce many of the complications that are related to obesity, including sleep apnea.

Medications

Only used in central apnea, acetazolamide (Diamox) may help improve the ability to regulate breathing. Overall, there is not a lot of evidence to support the use of medicines to treat sleep apnea.

Supplemental oxygen may be given if blood levels of oxygen fall too low during sleep, even after opening the airway.