HOW IS MILD TO MODERATE SLEEP APNEA TREATED?
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. With this procedure, the patient wears a mask over the nose during sleep, and pressure from an air blower forces air through the nasal passages. Straps hold the mask firmly over the nose, and the machine that generates the positive airway pressure sits on a table next to the bed. Perhaps the biggest problem with CPAP therapy is noncompliance. Many patients feel claustrophobic in addition to experiencing nasal dryness or discharge. Lack of a good fit of the nasal mask is also a common complaint. Compliance is greater in patients with more severe apnea. Several surgical procedures are available for those who cannot tolerate the CPAP; however; surgery is invasive and not always effective. For patients who snore, or snore with mild to moderate sleep apnea, an oral appliance is a conservative and often a very successful alternative.
