Health & wellbeing2 min read

Obstructive sleep apnoea and the treatments available

A common disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. The treatments that exist, and where surgery fits among them.

Stone Surgical ArtsOriginally published July 23, 2024Updated September 9, 2026

Perspective from Stone Surgical Arts

Obstructive sleep apnoea interrupts breathing during sleep, often many times an hour. It is common, it is treatable, and it is worth diagnosing properly because the effects reach beyond tiredness.

A thought to keep

Sleep apnoea is diagnosed with a sleep study, not from symptoms alone. Treatment begins with that diagnosis.

What it is, and how it is recognised

In obstructive sleep apnoea the airway narrows or closes repeatedly during sleep, interrupting breathing. Loud snoring, pauses in breathing noticed by someone else, waking unrefreshed and daytime sleepiness are common features.

Symptoms overlap with other conditions, so diagnosis is made with a sleep study rather than from the pattern alone. Untreated, sleep apnoea is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic problems, which is the reason for taking it seriously.

The usual first treatments

Continuous positive airway pressure, delivered through a mask, holds the airway open during sleep and is the most established treatment for moderate and severe disease.

Custom oral appliances, which hold the lower jaw forward, are an option in milder cases and for people who cannot tolerate a mask. They are fitted individually rather than bought ready-made.

Where surgery comes in

Surgery is generally considered when other treatments have not worked or cannot be tolerated, and the choice depends on where the obstruction is. Procedures range from work on the soft tissue of the throat to advancement of the upper and lower jaws, which enlarges the airway.

Jaw advancement falls within oral and maxillofacial surgery. Whether it is appropriate depends on your anatomy and your sleep study, and it is assessed alongside the other options rather than instead of them.

What helps alongside treatment

Weight management, sleeping on your side rather than your back, and limiting alcohol and sedatives before bed can each reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea. They support treatment rather than replace it.

Discuss any change with the clinician managing your care, particularly if you already use a device, so that treatment is adjusted rather than abandoned.

Adapted from the Stone Surgical Arts archive and updated for clarity. This article offers general information; an individual consultation is needed for treatment advice.