Is there any treatment?

There are a variety of treatments for sleep apnea, depending on an individual's medical history and the severity of the disorder.  Most treatment regimens begin with lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol and medications that relax the central nervous system (for example, sedatives and muscle relaxants), losing weight, and quitting smoking.  Some people are helped by special pillows or devices that keep them from sleeping on their backs, or oral appliances to keep the airway open during sleep.  If these conservative methods are inadequate, doctors often recommend continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), in which a face mask is attached to a tube and a machine that blows pressurized air into the mask and through the airway to keep it open.  There are also surgical procedures that can be used to remove tissue and widen the airway.  Some individuals may need a combination of therapies to successfully treat their sleep apnea.