Various medical devices are available to help treat sleep apnea. Choosing the right one comes down to the severity of your condition, your personal preferences, and your lifestyle.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder marked by interruptions or pauses in breathing during sleep. Over time, this condition may decrease sleep quality and increase the risk of health complications like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.

In addition to lifestyle changes and adjustments to sleeping positions, treatment involves using devices to help keep the airway open during sleep and prevent disruptions in oxygen flow to the body.

Learn more about what devices are available to treat sleep apnea, how each works, and how to decide which one may work best for you.

Sleep apnea is caused by either an inability of the brain to control breathing during sleep (central sleep apnea) or a physical blockage in the upper airway, like the tongue falling backward (obstructive sleep apnea). Both types can be treated with devices that work to ensure better oxygen flow to the body.

A sleep apnea device is a medical tool — machine, appliance, or implant — that helps people breathe more easily during sleep.

Various devices are on the market, but they all share the goal of keeping the airway open and preventing pauses in breathing. These devices can improve sleep quality and reduce the health risks associated with sleep apnea.

PAP devices are the most common form of treatment for sleep apnea. These machines provide constant air pressure throughout your upper airways. This positive pressure keeps airways open and allows for unobstructed breathing while you sleep.

Types of PAP devices include:

Side effects of PAP devices may include:

It is important to note that these side effects can be addressed with adjustments to your PAP equipment.

A doctor may prescribe an oral appliance to wear during sleep. This device fits like a mouth guard or retainer on both the upper and lower teeth. A dentist will take impressions of your teeth so it is custom to you. When you wear it, it holds the jaw forward to keep your airway open.

A tongue-retaining device can also be made to prevent the tongue from falling backward into the airway. This device consists of a clear silicone cover that holds the tongue in a forward position during sleep, keeping the airway unobstructed.

Side effects of oral appliances may include:

Inspire therapy involves surgically inserting a small device under the skin of the upper chest, just below the collarbone.

The implant provides mild electrical stimulation to the tongue and nearby muscles, keeping the airway open. This device is controlled using a remote that allows it to be turned on for sleep and turned off during daytime hours.

Surgery to insert an implant is typically an outpatient procedure. Still, surgery is more invasive than other options and may carry certain risks.

Nasal expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP)

While similar to PAP machines in purpose, an EPAP device does not require electricity or batteries to work. Instead, this device fits into or over the nostrils. It helps to maintain positive airway pressure and prevents airway collapse by creating resistance in a person’s exhalations (breaths out).

Positional therapy device

A pillow or other bed device may help people with sleep apnea caused by gravity and sleep position. Positional devices help guide the body to a side-sleeping position. When a person sleeps on their side, the tongue and throat are less likely to obstruct the airway.

Position accelerometer

Another option for positional sleep apnea is to wear a device on the body (chest or neck) that alerts the user to back sleeping. The accelerometer will vibrate with varying intensity to encourage repositioning to a side-sleeping position.

Neuromuscular tongue muscle stimulator

This device is worn in the mouth while you are awake for just 20 minutes each day. It works by delivering mild electrical currents to the tongue muscle, strengthening the muscle over time so it does not relax and block the airway during sleep.

Choosing the right sleep apnea device depends on factors like the severity of your condition, your preferences, and your lifestyle. Working with a healthcare professional is key to finding the best treatment.

For example:

  • CPAP machines are recommended for moderate to severe cases, while oral appliances and sleep positioners may be effective for mild to moderate apnea, according to 2019 research.
  • CPAPs may be uncomfortable for some people, while oral appliances may be more comfortable but less effective for severe apnea, per the same 2019 research.
  • Oral appliances may work better for people who travel or have difficulty with the CPAP mask.
  • Certain devices may be more appropriate for people with additional health complications (heart issues, nasal congestion, etc.).

Ultimately, the best device is one that effectively manages your apnea while being comfortable enough that you’ll continue using it. A doctor can walk you through the pros and cons, plus suggest types to try based on your unique needs.

Sleep apnea devices can help treat sleep apnea when combined with other lifestyle changes. A doctor can help you find the most effective device that fits both your lifestyle and comfort preferences.

If devices do not help or your condition is particularly severe, a doctor may recommend additional treatments, like sleep apnea surgery. Seeking treatment is important to avoid more serious health complications, so it’s best to make an appointment with a healthcare professional to discuss your options.