Sleep apnoea treatment

Need to know

• What happens icon plus

  There are several treatment options that can reduce the symptoms of sleep apnoea. These include:

  • Lifestyle changes such as losing excess weight, cutting down on alcohol and sleeping on your side.
  • Using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. These devices prevent your airway closing while you sleep by delivering a continuous supply of compressed air through a mask.
  • Wearing a mandibular advancement device (MAD). This gum shield-like device fits around your teeth, holding your jaw and tongue forward to increase the space at the back of your throat while you sleep.

• How to prepare icon plus

  There are no special preparations you need to make prior to treatment.

• Afterwards icon plus

  While the symptoms of sleep apnoea can be eased, treatment will most likely need to be lifelong. If left untreated, it can have a significant impact on your quality of life, causing problems such as poor performance at work and school, and placing a strain on your relationships with others. Sleep apnoea may also increase your risk of:

  • developing high blood pressure (hypertension)
  • having a stroke or heart attack
  • developing an irregular heartbeat
  • developing type 2 diabetes
  • being involved in a motor accident as it impacts your ability to drive