Sleep apnea causes a short supply of oxygen to the brain and other parts of the body. The interference in breathing during sleep can be a potential cause of many medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, depression, worsening of ADHD, headaches, and stroke. If left untreated, it will also have many adverse effects on daily activities. It may lead to vehicle accidents, underachievement in schools and workplaces.

Treatment is recommended by the doctor based on the evaluation of signs and symptoms of sleep apnea. An evaluation often involves overnight monitoring of the body functions during sleep. Some of the effective treatment procedures include;

Lifestyle changes
Doctors may recommend only lifestyle changes for milder cases of sleep apnea. Losing excess weight and quitting smoking and avoiding abuse of alcohol are the basic lifestyle changes that may be expected from patients.

Treatment for allergies
If an individual suffers from nasal allergies, they should be treated appropriately. Nasal allergies cause blockage in the airway and make breathing difficult.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
If the sleep apnea condition is moderate to severe, CPAP mask may be recommended to give pressure to the air passing through a blocked nose.

Oral appliances
Oral appliances help to keep the throat open. These are fitted by a dentist or an orthodontist.

Surgery
Surgery is usually not the first option. It is recommended only when other treatments fail to give results. It is often recommended for certain jaw structures. It may be noted that surgery cannot guarantee relief from sleep apnea. Some of the surgical options might include:

• Tissue removal
  Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP or UP3) is a surgical procedure to remove tissues from the top and back of the throat. This may involve the removal of tonsils and adenoids also. This procedure can help in preventing vibrations in the throat and snoring. People who are not comfortable with CPAP may opt for this procedure. However, CPAP is considered a better option to treat obstructive sleep apnea.
• Tissue shrinkage
  Tissue shrinkage is similar to tissue removal but does not involve as many surgical risks. The procedure is used to shrink tissues inside the throat to keep the tissues from blocking the airway.
• Jaw repositioning
  This procedure is called maxillomandibular advancement. The jaw is repositioned to make space behind the tongue and soft palate. This procedure will help reduce, the obstruction.
• Implants
  Plastic rods are implanted into the soft palate with the help of a local anesthetic.
• Nerve stimulation
  A stimulator is inserted for the hypoglossal nerve which controls the tongue movement. This is to position the tongue in such a way that the airway is kept open.
• Creating a new air passageway
  This procedure is called tracheostomy which involves making a hole in the neck to place a metal or plastic tube .  This is meant to be an alternative air passage. This surgery is a last resort to save life from severe sleep apnea.