How is sleep apnoea treated?

The most common treatment is a CPAP machine, which gently pumps air through a mask while you sleep to keep your airway open¹. Other options include a custom mouthpiece made by a dentist, and changes such as losing weight or sleeping on your side¹. A sleep specialist works out what fits you.

CPAP

CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. It is the treatment sleep specialists recommend first for most adults with sleep apnoea who feel sleepy during the day². Getting used to the mask takes time, and guidelines recommend that people get help and follow-up when they start².

A mouthpiece

A custom mouthpiece, fitted by a dentist and prescribed by a sleep doctor, is an option for people who can't use CPAP or would rather not³. It needs follow-up visits with the dentist and the sleep doctor³.

Other options

Losing weight, cutting down on alcohol, stopping smoking and sleeping on your side can help some people¹. A small number of people are offered surgery, for example to remove large tonsils¹.

What to do now

If you think you might have sleep apnoea, start with a GP. Treatment depends on a sleep study, so the first step is finding out⁴.