Do you snore? Have you been told that you stop breathing at night? Are you constantly tired throughout the day? Chances are good that you may have sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is common with nearly 20 percent of adults affected to some degree. Sleep apnea is not only a major nuisance but it can contribute to serious long term medical problems that can dramatically shorten your life. In obstructive sleep apnea airflow into the lungs is impaired during sleep. This impaired airflow leads to a variety of problems including poor sleep quality, daytime fatigue, heart failure and stroke. Fortunately a variety of treatments for sleep apnea exist. How do you select a treatment for sleep apnea?

Lifestyle modification is the most important treatment for sleep apnea. Weight loss, smoking cessation and reducing alcohol consumption all can help to treat sleep apnea.

Avoid muscle relaxers, anxiety pills and sleep inducing agents at bedtime. Elimination of these medications is the easiest treatment for sleep apnea.

Elevating the head of your bed is a simple treatment for sleep apnea. If you can't afford an adjustable bed then an inexpensive bed wedge placed under the mattress will suffice.

Wear a specialized mandibular oral splint as a non-invasive treatment for sleep apnea. Resembling a mouthguard used in contact sports this basic device modestly repositions the tongue and jaw while sleeping to allow better air flow.

Use a breathing machine that delivers a stream of pressurized air  through either a mask or nasal prongs. This pressurized air helps to maintain a patent airway and allows for better oxygen flow during sleep. These CPAP machines are the most commonly prescribed treatment for sleep apnea.        

Investigate palatal implants as a new treatment for sleep apnea. These implants which are placed beneath the tissue into the soft palate are minimally invasive and a reasonably effective treatment for sleep apnea.        

Consider surgery as a treatment for sleep apnea. Several options are available; however, most involve removal of some oral pharyngeal tissue including tonsils, soft palate or uvula.

*  Obstructive sleep apnea typically is diagnosed with an overnight sleep study.

*  Obstructive sleep apnea should always be managed by a doctor.
*  Individuals with untreated sleep apnea have a 30 percent higher risk for heart attacks and death than similar individuals without obstructive sleep apnea.