Treating mild sleep apnea: Should you consider a CPAP device?

This study supports a comprehensive approach to evaluation and treatment of mild OSA. While all people with mild OSA may not need to be treated with CPAP, there are patients who can greatly benefit from it. Treatments may be trial and error until you and your doctor get it right When sleep apnea is mild, treatment recommendations are less clear-cut, and should be determined based on the severity of your symptoms, your preferences, and other co-occurring health problems. Working in conjunction with your doctor, you can try a stepwise approach — if one treatment doesn’t work, you can stop that and try an alternative. Managing mild sleep apnea involves shared decision-making between you and your doctor, and you should consider just how bothered you are by sleep apnea symptoms, as well as other components of your health that could be made worse by untreated sleep apnea. Take-home suggestions Conservative approaches for mild OSA: Maximize a side sleeping position; try not to sleep on your back. Optimize weight if overweight or obese; even a 5-to-10-pound weight loss can make a difference in mild OSA. Treat nasal allergies/congestion. Avoid alcohol or respiratory depressant medications close to bedtime. Make sure that you get an adequate amount of sleep, and keep fairly regular sleep and wake times across the week. If you have bothersome symptoms related to OSA — such as loud, disruptive snoring, long pauses in breathing, repeated nighttime awakenings, unrefreshing sleep, i...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Ear, nose, and throat Sleep Tests and procedures Source Type: blogs