San Francisco and Marin CA
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that affects many aspects of your body and mind. It can increase your risk for heart failure, stroke, car accidents, dementia, and more — and it can also make it difficult to live a full, healthy life. This often leads people to wonder: can sleep apnea (and its effects) be reversed?
We’ll explore two key questions:
- Can treatment reverse the effects of sleep apnea?
- Can sleep apnea itself be reversed or cured?
This discussion focuses on obstructive sleep apnea. The best way to understand how treatment can help you is to speak with a San Francisco sleep dentist at Glen Park Dental.
Can the Effects of Sleep Apnea Be Reversed?
Sleep apnea treatment comes in many forms. The most common is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), which uses air pressure to keep your airway open. Oral appliance therapy repositions your jaw to support your airway better. Surgery may remove blockages or place implants to stimulate airway muscles. Our San Francisco sleep dentists can help determine the best option for you.
These treatments reduce or eliminate apneic episodes—brief pauses in breathing. But do they reverse the effects of sleep apnea? The answer is yes, in several important ways.
Research shows that treatment can reverse the impact of sleep apnea on your:
- Appearance
- Brain
- Weight
- Heart
This effectively reverses many of the damaging consequences of sleep apnea.
Restoring a Youthful Appearance
Sleep apnea often makes you look older or tired due to stress hormones and poor sleep. Treating sleep apnea can restore a healthier, more youthful look.
Repairing Brain Function
Sleep apnea can cause cognitive problems and physical brain changes. Studies indicate that treatment can improve brain function and may reverse some damage.
Helping Restore Healthy Weight
Obesity contributes to sleep apnea, and sleep apnea can make weight loss harder. Treatment makes it easier to lose weight and stay active.
Supporting Heart Health
Sleep apnea increases risks for high blood pressure and heart problems. Some evidence suggests that treatment can help reverse heart damage caused by sleep apnea.
Can Sleep Apnea Be Cured?
Now, what about a true cure? Let’s define terms:
- A treatment helps you manage sleep apnea but usually requires ongoing use.
- A cure permanently or semi-permanently eliminates sleep apnea.
Here are three possible paths toward a cure:
Lifestyle Changes
For some, weight loss, exercise, positional therapy, and avoiding alcohol before bed can eliminate obstructive sleep apnea. However, this approach doesn’t work for everyone and must be maintained to prevent apnea from returning.
Surgery
Surgical options like uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) remove airway tissues that collapse during sleep. Success rates vary and long-term results are mixed. Implantable nerve stimulators like Inspire show success rates of 66-75% for lasting symptom reduction, but they do not completely cure sleep apnea.
Oral Appliances
Custom oral appliances that hold the airway open or enlarge the jaw space can reduce apnea symptoms. Studies show about 28% of users may be “cured,” with many more experiencing significant improvement.
Your Sleep Apnea Treatment Options in San Francisco
At Glen Park Dental, we provide personalized care to help you find the best treatment—whether it’s managing symptoms, reversing effects, or potentially curing your sleep apnea. Our San Francisco sleep dentists will work with you to choose the right path.
Call us at (415) 799-3900 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation. Let’s work together toward better sleep and better health.
