True or False: Does Sleep Apnea Ever Go Away?

Sleep apnea. It’s a common disorder that affects millions of Americans every year, causing loud snoring and disrupted sleep. Many people with the diagnosis understand it’s a serious condition that can have severe consequences if left untreated. However, are you wondering if there’s a chance it’ll go away on its own? Read on to learn more about the possible causes, how you can improve your symptoms, and whether or not the sleep disorder can go away on its own.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

When any part of the airway collapses throughout the night and disrupts breathing, it’s known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). There are a few possible causes behind it, including:

• Underlying anatomy. A deviated septum or enlarged turbinates (shell-shaped networks of bones, vessels, and tissue within the nasal passageways) may disrupt airflow. A floppy soft palate, big tonsils, or a large tongue can also block the passage at the throat.
• Weight gain. If the circumference of your neck is larger than average, it can worsen your sleep apnea symptoms.
• Sleeping on your back. It allows the tongue to fall back into the airway, contributing to obstruction and sleep apnea.
• Alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol a few hours before bed can make the airway muscles more collapsible.

Can Sleep Apnea Go Away?

Short answer: no, it usually does not go away. Since a person’s anatomy remains fixed, there are only ways to treat the disorder – not get rid of it completely. For instance, teenagers who have completed puberty and other adults may benefit from surgical options to address their sleep apnea. The most successful solution is jaw advancement surgery, which can resolve sleep apnea in up to 80% of people.

The good news is that there’s still hope for children who suffer from this disorder. Removing the tonsils and adenoids with tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy can be very beneficial. Also, treating allergies and expansion of the hard palate with rapid maxillary expansion (orthodontic therapy) can be helpful as well.

How to Improve Your Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Fortunately, there are multiple other things you can do to reduce the severity or even the presence of sleep apnea. One of the most effective ways to treat sleep apnea is through the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. It helps keep the airway open to prevent its collapse.

Of course, if your disorder is the result of you being overweight or obese, you can lose weight to help minimize your symptoms. You can also try treating allergies with nasal steroids to help keep the nasal passage open. Some excellent medications to consider are Nasonex, Flonase, and Rhinocort as they’ve proven to be beneficial.

Even though sleep apnea will not go away on its own, there are many treatment options available to address the problem. Contact your sleep dentist and ask about your solutions – a good night’s rest is only a phone call away!

About the Practice

At Covington Sleep Center, we offer simple, comfortable, and effective sleep apnea treatment to help you enjoy a full night of rest once again. With oral appliance therapy, we can help you sleep soundly and wake up feeling refreshed rather than tired. If you’d like to learn more about the treatment process, visit our website or call (770) 710-5268.