Untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea is Dangerous

Obstructive sleep apnea affects an estimated 3% of women and 10% of men between 30 and 49 years old; those figures jump to at least 9% of women and 17% of men when they’re between 50 and 70 years old. Many remain undiagnosed or untreated, leaving them at risk for complications like daytime sleepiness, headaches and even heart disease.

A few treatment options are available, and strategies are likely to vary depending on the patient and the doctor treating them. We have details on current approaches.

CPAP Machine for Obstructive Apnea

Many doctors believe using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is the most effective way to combat obstructive sleep apnea. The condition occurs because of gaps in the sufferer’s breathing while asleep, usually due to throat muscles relaxing, causing breath obstructions. A CPAP machine keeps the user breathing with the help of a tight-fitting face mask. The system continuously pushes air in the nose and mouth, forcing the breathing channel to remain open.

There are a lot of downsides to the CPAP. The equipment can be challenging to adjust to, and some people find it impossible to fall asleep while wearing the mask. CPAP machines also require regular maintenance, and staying on top of the upkeep is difficult for many users. But it is a treatment model that's been successful for many people despite the steep adjustment or learning period. Once the patient adapts, the CPAP helps a lot of people.

Oral Appliances for Obstructive Apnea

People who can’t adjust to CPAP machines may find some relief by using adjustable mandibular-advancement splints instead. These oral appliances alter the positioning of the jaw and tongue, reducing the likelihood of weakened muscles obstructing the airways. Unfortunately, long-term use can lead to an altered bite, so they may not be the best option for anything beyond temporary relief. 

Surgery as Treatment for Obstructive Apnea

Doctors can use one of a few different surgical techniques to alleviate the issues behind most breathing gaps. Some of the most common include:

• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, or UPPP, involves altering or removing the uvula, and sometimes part of the palate and throat wall, to increase the pathway size in the throat. 
• Maxillomandibular advancement manipulates the placement of the jawbone, permanently setting it in a way that reduces the collapsing of throat tissue due to relaxed muscles.

• Septoplasty and turbinate reduction straighten the septum and reduce the size of the turbinates to help improve breathing by creating more room in the nose for better airflow.

Some patients may also opt to try a device implanted in the chest that works similarly to a pacemaker. It’s designed to monitor the breath, send electrical signals to the throat during breathing pauses and prompt lax muscles in the throat to open back up. Results may be promising, but not everyone is a good candidate. Also, all surgeries carry the possibility of complications, so the pros and cons need to be weighed carefully.

Lifestyle Considerations for Obstructive Apnea

In some cases, lifestyle changes alone are enough to correct this health issue. About half of all sleep apnea sufferers could eliminate the need for a CPAP machine by losing an average of 22 pounds. They may also reduce their symptoms by abstaining from alcohol and other drugs, such as benzodiazepines and opioids, that increase relaxation in the throat muscles and reduce the drive to breathe. Some patients may avoid symptoms by simply refraining from sleeping on their backs. 

Obstructive sleep apnea can be exhausting, and the long-term effects can be serious, so if you believe or even suspect that you or someone you know has this problem, please see a doctor and ask to be tested. Only a qualified physician can diagnose this condition but untreated apnea causes all manner of problems and there are treatment options. The longer the problem is allowed to continue, the more damage it might do.

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