Lifestyle & Weight Management

Weight Loss

Weight loss in overweight individuals is one of the most important components of OSA treatment. Excess tissue around the neck and airway can contribute significantly to airway collapse during sleep.

Benefits of weight loss may include:

​

• Reduced snoring

• Improved airflow

• Lower airway resistance

• Improved CPAP tolerance

• Reduction in OSA severity

• In some patients, partial or complete reversal of sleep apnea

 

Patients are encouraged to pursue healthy long-term weight management through diet, exercise, and lifestyle modification whenever appropriate.

​

Positive Airway Pressure Therapy

CPAP & AutoPAP

Positive airway pressure therapy remains the gold standard treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.

Treatment options include:

​

• CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

• AutoPAP (Automatic Positive Airway Pressure)

 

These devices use pressurized airflow to keep the airway open during sleep and prevent airway collapse. For optimal benefit, patients should use their device:

​

• Every night

• Ideally, for more than 6 hours per night

 

CPAP Success & Comfort

Many patients adjust successfully to therapy once the correct equipment and settings are identified. There are multiple mask styles and sizes available, including:

• Nasal masks

• Full-face masks

• Nasal pillow systems

Airway pressure settings can also be modified by your physician to improve comfort and effectiveness. Communication between the patient and the provider is an essential part of successful treatment.

Benefits of successful CPAP/AutoPAP treatment may include:

• Improved energy and daytime alertness

• Reduced snoring

• Better sleep quality

• Lower blood pressure

• Reduced cardiovascular risk

• Improved concentration and mood

 

Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)

For selected patients, a custom oral appliance may be recommended.

Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) uses a custom-made dual-mouthguard-type device worn during sleep that:

​

• Advances the lower jaw forward

• Moves the tongue forward

• Increases airway space behind the tongue and soft palate

• ​

This treatment may be appropriate for:

​

• Mild to moderate OSA

• Primary snoring

• Patients unable to tolerate CPAP

• ​

The appliance is custom-fabricated after dental impressions are obtained.

​

Nasal Airway Optimization

Improving nasal airflow is an important part of sleep apnea and snoring management. Nasal obstruction can contribute to:

​

• Mouth breathing

• Snoring

• CPAP intolerance

• Increased airway resistance

 

Treatment may include:

​

• Medical therapy

• Allergy management

• Nasal procedures or surgery when indicated

 

Improved nasal breathing can significantly improve CPAP comfort and overall treatment success.

​

Inspire® Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator

For qualified candidates who are unable to tolerate CPAP therapy, the Inspire sleep apnea implant may be considered. Our office is not offering the Inspire device at this time. 

​

Surgical Treatment Options

When non-surgical treatments are unsuccessful or not tolerated, surgery may be considered.

Surgical procedures may include:

• Nasal surgery to improve airflow and CPAP compliance

• Tonsillectomy

• Palate surgery

• UPPP (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty)

• Palatoplasty

• Tongue reduction procedures

• Radiofrequency ablation of the tongue base

• Tongue or jaw advancement procedures

 

Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA)

In selected patients, maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) surgery — which advances both the upper and lower jaws forward — has demonstrated success rates greater than 90% in some studies.

 

Surgical Expectations

Dr. Khetarpal will evaluate and inform patients who are eligible for surgical options. While surgery is not appropriate for every patient, carefully selected patients may experience:

​

• Significant improvement in OSA severity

• Better nasal breathing

• Reduced snoring

• Improved CPAP tolerance

• In some cases, the potential cure of obstructive sleep apnea

​​

Follow-Up Care Requirements

Successful sleep apnea treatment requires ongoing follow-up and monitoring.

​

If CPAP or AutoPAP therapy is prescribed, follow-up visits are generally recommended:

​

• Approximately 1 month after starting treatment

• 3 months later

• Every 3–6 months thereafter

• Then, approximately every 6 months, as clinically indicated

​​

These visits allow us to:

​

• Confirm treatment effectiveness

• Assess symptom improvement

• Review compliance data

• Adjust settings if necessary

• Address mask or comfort concerns

• Ensure long-term treatment success

​​

Insurance Compliance Requirements

Most insurance companies require documentation that CPAP/AutoPAP therapy is being used consistently to:

​

• Continue device coverage

• Approve replacement supplies

• Maintain ongoing insurance benefits

​​

If compliance requirements are not met, insurance companies may:

​

• Deny supply coverage

• Reclaim the device

• Discontinue payment authorization

​​

Patient Responsibilities

Sleep apnea treatment is a collaborative process. Patients are expected to:

​

• Attend recommended follow-up appointments

• Use prescribed treatment consistently

• Communicate concerns or difficulties promptly

• Participate actively in long-term health management

​​

Ongoing follow-up is an essential part of safe and effective sleep apnea care.

​

Our Commitment

We are committed to helping patients achieve healthier sleep, improved breathing, increased energy, and better long-term health outcomes through individualized and evidence-based sleep apnea treatment.

​

Below are additional resources about Obstructive Sleep Apnea. You can quickly and conveniently book your appointment with Dr. Khetarpal online. We accept new patients and honor most insurance plans.