Treatment Of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

This page includes detailed information on treatment options for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA).  Simply click on the headings below to got to the relevant section:

The specific therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is tailored to the individual patient based on medical history, physical examination, and the results of their sleep study.

It is important that patients suffering from OSA should undergo regular Sleep Studies to assess if their OSA has worsened - we recommend at least every 12-24 months, particularly if your circumstances or lifestyle have changed (such as gaining or losing weight).

• Medications are generally not effective in the treatment of sleep apnoea.
• Although Oxygen is sometimes used in patients with central apnoea caused by heart failure, it is not used to treat obstructive sleep apnoea.

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Lifestyle changes are an important part of the treatment program for OSA.  In fact, lifestyle changes may be all that is needed to treat mild cases of OSA.

Stopping smoking

• If you want to quit smoking, please visit Quit for more information at www.quit.org.au;
• Visit the Quit Now campaign page at www.quitnow.info.au, or Click Here to go directly to the "Quitters Page" section.
• Phone the Quitline on 13 18 48 (For the cost of a local call from anywhere in Australia.

• Overweight people can benefit from losing weight - even a 5kg-10kg weight loss can reduce the severity of snoring and the number of apnoeic events for most patients.  
• Click here to go to our Obesity Management section for Medical Practitioners, which includes some useful information on the link between Obesity and OSA, and positive steps that patients can take to assist in the treatment of their OSA.

• Individuals with sleep apnoea should minimise the use of alcohol and sleeping pills, which make the airway more likely to collapse during sleep.
• Visit the Australian Drug Foundation website for more information on cutting down your alcohol and/or drug intake - Click Here.

• in people with mild sleep apnoea, their sleep apnoea episodes may occur only when they sleep on their backs.  In such a situation, a wedge pillow or other devices that stop patients sleeping on their back may be helpful .
• Our creative patients have suggested that sewing a tennis ball onto an old T-shirt could work!

• There are also some key Sleep Hygiene tips to help people get a good night's sleep - Click Here to download our " Getting a Good Night's Sleep" Fact Sheet.

Mandibular Advancement Splints (MAS) are a type of dental device (generically termed "Oral Appliances") used in patients who snore, or who have mild to moderate sleep apnoea.

An MAS device repositions the lower jaw and the tongue, and has been helpful as a first-line treatment to some patients with mild to moderate sleep apnoea, or who snore but do not have apnoea.

Below is an illustration of a popular MAS device manufactured by SomnoMed:

You need to discuss with a dentist or orthodontist whether these types of devices are appropriate for you if you have Sleep Apnoea or have persistent snoring.

For more information on MAS, Click Here to go to the SomnoMed website or visit http://www.somnomed.com.au, where you can also locate an MAS specialists closest to you.

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• Nasal CPAP is the most common and effective treatment for sleep apnoea.
• The patient wears a mask over the nose during sleep, and air is pumped in through the mask into the upper airway.
• The air splints the muscles in the upper airway and prevents then from collapsing during sleep.
• Nasal CPAP prevents airway collapse during use, but apnoeas return when CPAP is stopped or when it is used improperly.

   CPAP treated airway                                              Using CPAP

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Several surgical procedures are used to increase the size of the airway, though no surgery is completely successful or without risks.

Some of the more common procedures include removal of adenoids and tonsils if enlarged, nasal polyps or other growths, or other tissue in the airway and correction of structural deformities.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a procedure used to remove excess tissue at the back of the throat (tonsils, uvula, and part of the soft palate).

The success of this technique currently ranges from 30% to 60% success rate. The long-term side effects and benefits are not known, and it is difficult to predict which patients will do well with this procedure.

If you are interested in further information on surgery to the upper airway please discuss this with your doctor.

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• To find out if you have OSA, please contact your General Practitioner, and request a referral to Sleep Services Australia for a Sleep Study.
• For more information on OSA symptoms, Click Here to go to our OSA page.
• Sleep disorders are treatable - Click Here to download a Fact Sheet on Treatment Options. 
• You may also want to complete our Interactive Epworth Sleepiness Scale, a handy self-evaluation tool to determine if you have Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, which is often a symptom of a serious sleep disorder.  Click here to go to the Epworth Sleepiness Scale section.

To view (pdf) files you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here for download or more information.

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• See your Dentist or General Practitioner for a Referral to Sleep Services Australia;
• Complete our online Query Form (Click Here) or e-mail your contact details to query@sleepservicesaustralia.com.au; or
• Telephone us on 1300 867 533 (for the cost of a local call).

Please Note: The information on this page is intended to be used as a guide only and is not an authoritative statement. Please consult your family doctor or sleep  physician if you have further questions relating to the information provided here.

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