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3. IMPROVED HEART HEALTH Sleep apnea causes repeated interruptions in breathing, which leads to fluctuations in blood pressure and oxygen levels, placing immense stress on the cardiovascular

system. Effective treatment helps maintain consistent oxygen levels and stabilizes blood pressure, which in turn reduces the strain on the heart and blood vessels. “Untreated sleep apnea

puts a strain on your heart, your lungs, your blood vessels and brain. Your blood pressure often goes up over a period of time with untreated sleep apnea, and that can have consequences,”

said Richard Brown, M.D., associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University. He added that treating sleep apnea reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack. 4. LOWER RISK OF

COGNITIVE DECLINE, DEMENTIA AND DEPRESSION Ensuring continuous oxygen flow to the brain prevents damage caused by chronic oxygen deprivation. Additionally, it allows the toxins to be cleared

from the brain, reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Sleep apnea can also affect mental health. “One of the biggest things, which I saw for years in my patient practice, is

that the patients who developed obstructive sleep apnea don’t respond well to their antidepressants,” Brown said. 5. REGULATED HORMONE RELEASE AND IMPROVED METABOLISM Uninterrupted slow-wave

sleep facilitates the release of essential hormones that regulate glucose and weight metabolism. “Hormonal balance and metabolic health are closely linked to sleep quality,” Grover said.

“Addressing sleep apnea can lead to significant improvements in these areas.” 6. IMPROVED SEXUAL HEALTH AND INTIMACY Treating sleep apnea and snoring can enhance sexual health by improving

hormone levels and increasing intimacy by allowing couples to share a bedroom again. This improvement in sleep quality and reduction in fatigue can foster a stronger connection and a more

fulfilling relationship. About half of people with sleep apnea also experience erectile dysfunction, according to research and men with obstructive sleep apnea commonly have low testosterone

levels. Several studies have found that treating sleep apnea improves sexual satisfaction, but research looking at whether treating sleep apnea helps with decreasing erectile dysfunction or

increasing testosterone, however, have been inconclusive. SLEEP APNEA TREATMENTS Treating sleep apnea can be done in many ways, each with its own good points and things to think about. Here

are nine ways to treat it: * CPAP (CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE) MACHINE: CPAP is the most common and effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It involves wearing a

mask connected to a machine that delivers a continuous flow of air to keep the airway open during sleep. CPAPs are highly effective but may not be tolerated by all patients due to

discomfort, mask leakage or claustrophobia. * WEIGHT-LOSS MEDICATION: On Dec. 20, 2024, the FDA approved the use of the weight-loss drug Zepbound (tirzepatide) for the treatment of moderate

to severe sleep apnea in adults with obesity. This is the first medication approved for sleep apnea. In clinical trials, study participants who were treated with Zepbound experienced

significant improvements in their breathing while sleeping compared to participants who took the placebo.  They also lost more weight than the placebo group, and researchers say their

improvements in sleep apnea are likely a result of decreased body weight. “This is a major step forward for patients with obstructive sleep apnea,” Sally Seymour, M.D., director of the FDA’s

Division of Pulmonology, Allergy, and Critical Care, said in a statement. * OAT (ORAL APPLIANCE THERAPY): OAT uses custom-made oral appliances (mouthpieces) to reposition the jaw and tongue

to keep the airway open during sleep. It is often preferred by patients who find CPAP uncomfortable. OAT can be effective for mild to moderate OSA and is less invasive than surgery. * UPPER

AIRWAY STIMULATION: This therapy, which is often called Inspire (in reference to the company that developed the treatment), involves a surgically implanted device that stimulates the

hypoglossal nerve to move the tongue forward during sleep, preventing airway obstruction. The FDA-approved implantable upper airway stimulation device functions like a pacemaker to gently

prompt the patient’s muscles while they are sleeping. It is an option for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP or OAT. Most insurance providers, including Medicare, cover Inspire if CPAP

treatment was problematic, according to the company’s website.  * SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA: In cases where structural issues in the jaw or face contribute to sleep

apnea, tonsil and adenoid removal, correction of a deviated septum, and surgical correction of the soft palate are options for treating sleep apnea. Orthognathic surgery can reposition the

upper and lower jaws, enlarging the airway and improving breathing during sleep. This is a more invasive option typically considered when other treatments have failed. * POSITIONAL THERAPY: 

Sleep apnea tends to be worse when people sleep on their backs. Positional therapy involves using devices or techniques to encourage sleeping in positions that prevent airway obstruction. It

can be effective for patients whose sleep apnea is primarily positional. * WEIGHT LOSS: Obesity is a significant risk factor for sleep apnea. Losing weight through diet and exercise can

reduce the severity of sleep apnea or even eliminate it in some cases. Combining weight loss with other therapies like CPAP or OAT can enhance treatment effectiveness. * MYOFUNCTIONAL

THERAPY: Myofunctional therapy involves exercises and techniques to strengthen and retrain the muscles of the tongue and throat. It can improve tongue position and swallowing patterns,

reducing airway collapse during sleep. * MEDICATIONS: Doctors sometimes use other medications to help treat sleep apnea along with CPAP or OAT. For example, acetazolamide, a diuretic, can

assist with central sleep apnea in some circumstances, and modafinil, used to treat excessive sleepiness, can help individuals stay awake during the day. _Editor's note: This story,

first published Sept. 24, 2024, has been updated to include new information. _