There are only a few effective treatments for OSA. They fall into several categories: weight loss, surgery, dental appliances, and a breathing assistance device. The most popular and most effective is the latter, the use of a device which delivers air under pressure to the airway by way of a nasal mask. There are several types of positive airway pressure devices, including CPAP, Bi-level positive airway pressure, and responsive and “smart” airway pressure devices. They are all variations on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP.
There is no guaranteed, permanent, device free “cure” for apnoea!
The type of treatment prescribed will depend on the type and location of airway obstruction and on the person’s overall health. Obstructions can occur anywhere from the nose (deviated septum; swollen nasal passages from allergies), the upper pharynx (enlarged adenoids; long soft palate; large uvula; large tonsils), or the lower pharynx (tongue that is large or situated far back; short jaw: short, wide neck with narrow airway). The location of obstructions varies between individuals, and an individual may have more than one obstruction.