Can Sleep Apnea Be Cured?

Sleep apnea usually can’t be cured, but it can be controlled. Most people with sleep apnea need ongoing treatment. Some find lasting relief through lifestyle changes, medical devices, or surgery. 

Some cases, particularly mild obstructive sleep apnea, may even resolve entirely with weight loss or specific interventions. The key is knowing what type of sleep apnea you have and choosing the right treatment based on its cause.

Types of Sleep Apnea

There are three main types of sleep apnea, each with different causes and treatment implications:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common type. Caused by physical blockage of the upper airway. Usually, when the throat muscles relax too much during sleep. This leads to repeated breathing pauses and gasping episodes throughout the night. Over 936 million people globally are estimated to have OSA.
• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): Much less common. Happens when the brain fails to send regular signals to the breathing muscles. There’s no blockage, just a disconnect between the brain and body. CSA is often linked to heart failure, stroke, or opioid use.

Knowing which type you have is essential. Obstructive sleep apnea often responds well to physical interventions. Central sleep apnea needs an approach that targets the brain and nervous system.

Can Weight Loss Cure Sleep Apnea?

In some people with mild to moderate OSA, weight loss can significantly reduce or even eliminate symptoms. Fat deposits around the neck and upper airway contribute to airway collapse. Reducing that fat can reopen the airway during sleep.

• A study found that a 10% weight reduction led to a 26% improvement in AHI (Apnea-Hypopnea Index), a key measure of severity (1).
• Among patients who had bariatric surgery, up to 85% saw major improvement in their sleep apnea. In many cases, symptoms went into remission based on how much weight they lost.

However, weight loss isn’t a guaranteed cure. If the apnea stems from anatomical issues, like jaw structure or enlarged tonsils, losing weight might not help. And weight regain can bring the apnea right back.

Now there’s a new option: tirzepatide, a once-weekly injection sold under the brand name Zepbound. Originally developed for weight loss and type 2 diabetes, it’s now FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe OSA in adults with obesity.

In the SURMOUNT-OSA trials, tirzepatide helped people lose weight and dramatically reduced their AHI:

• In those not using CPAP, it cut AHI by 20 events per hour more than placebo.
• In those using CPAP, it reduced AHI by nearly 24 events per hour more than placebo.
• Patients also lost weight and had better sleep quality, fewer oxygen drops, and lower blood pressure (2).

Zepbound is a breakthrough for people with obesity-related OSA, especially those who struggle with CPAP. But it’s not for everyone. It can cause side effects like nausea and shouldn’t be used in people with certain thyroid conditions. Talk to your doctor before starting.

So yes, weight loss can be a powerful tool. And now, for some, it’s possible with the help of a medication proven to improve both weight and sleep apnea.

Can Surgery Eliminate Sleep Apnea?

Surgery may cure sleep apnea in some cases, especially when anatomical factors are the root cause. The goal is to either widen the airway or prevent it from collapsing during sleep.

Common surgical options include:

• Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA): Moves the upper and lower jaws forward. Among the most effective, with up to 90% success in reducing AHI.
• Inspire therapy: An implant that stimulates throat muscles to keep the airway open. FDA-approved for adults with moderate to severe OSA who can’t tolerate CPAP. Studies show about 66–80% of users see significant improvement.
• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): Removes excess tissue from the throat. Results vary. Less effective long-term than MMA or Inspire.
• Tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy: Especially useful in children with enlarged tonsils causing obstruction.

Success depends on precise diagnosis. Surgery works best when targeted to the specific structure causing collapse. But it’s not without risk. Healing times are long, and complications can occur. That’s why surgery is usually reserved for people who can’t tolerate other treatments or who have clear anatomical causes.

Can Sleep Apnea Go Away on Its Own?

Rarely. In adults, sleep apnea is typically chronic and progressive. It doesn’t spontaneously resolve unless a specific, temporary cause is removed.

Situations where apnea might go away:

• Pregnancy-related sleep apnea often improves postpartum.
• Allergic rhinitis or nasal congestion, once treated, can improve mild OSA.
• Children with large tonsils or adenoids often experience complete resolution after removal.

But in most adults, sleep apnea worsens over time. Throat muscles weaken with age. Fat distribution changes. Weight often increases. So without treatment, symptoms tend to become more severe.

Even if symptoms seem to improve, the underlying sleep disruption may persist. That’s why assuming it will go away without intervention is risky.

What About Central Sleep Apnea?

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is harder to “cure” than obstructive types. It’s driven by the brain’s failure to send the right signals to breathe, so treating the cause requires addressing neurological or systemic issues.

Common causes of CSA:

• Heart failure
• Stroke or brain stem injury
• High altitude exposure
• Opioid medications
• Idiopathic (unknown origin)

Most patients require ongoing therapy. Some do see CSA resolve when the underlying issue is treated or the trigger (like opioids) is removed.

What Role Does CPAP Play, And Is It a Cure?

CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, is the most effective frontline treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It works by delivering steady, pressurized air through a mask, preventing the airway from collapsing during sleep. This keeps oxygen levels stable and breathing uninterrupted.

But is CPAP a cure? No.

CPAP is not a cure for sleep apnea. It is a highly effective treatment, but it doesn’t eliminate the condition. Once you stop using it, the apnea almost always returns.

Still, the impact of CPAP is enormous:

• It reduces the number of apnea events per hour, often bringing the AHI (Apnea-Hypopnea Index) from severe to normal levels.
• It improves oxygen saturation, lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• It restores sleep continuity, reducing daytime fatigue, brain fog, and depression.
• CPAP can also lower blood pressure, especially in people with resistant hypertension.

In short, CPAP is not a cure, but it’s the gold standard for long-term control. And when used consistently, it can change, and even save, lives.

What About Oral Appliances or Mouth Guards?

Oral appliances are a practical alternative for people who can’t tolerate CPAP. These are custom-fitted devices worn in the mouth during sleep. They work by repositioning the lower jaw and tongue to keep the airway open.

There are two main types:

• Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs): Push the lower jaw slightly forward.
• Tongue Retaining Devices (TRDs): Hold the tongue in a forward position to prevent airway blockage.

These devices are most effective for:

• Mild to moderate OSA
• People with jaw structure-related obstruction
• Those who sleep best on their backs

Can they cure sleep apnea? Occasionally, yes, for some mild cases. But like CPAP, their effects disappear if you stop wearing them. They also tend to be less effective for people with severe OSA, or for those whose apnea originates from throat collapse rather than jaw positioning.

Effectiveness varies. Oral appliances reduced AHI by about 50% (3), compared to 73% above with CPAP. But many patients still prefer them because they’re smaller, quieter, and easier to use

Sleep Study Is Still the Best First Step

Many people suspect they have sleep apnea but never get tested. This is a problem.

You can’t cure what you haven’t diagnosed.

A sleep study, either an in-lab polysomnography or a home sleep apnea test, provides a definitive diagnosis. It tracks brain waves, oxygen levels, breathing effort, airflow, and heart rate throughout the night. This helps determine:

• What type of apnea you have (obstructive vs. central)
• How severe it is (mild, moderate, or severe)
• What treatment options are most appropriate
• Whether your symptoms are apnea or another disorder like insomnia, restless legs, or periodic limb movement disorder

Trying to self-treat sleep apnea without a study is like treating high blood pressure without ever checking it. You may be guessing and putting your health at risk.

The earlier you get diagnosed, the more options you have. For some, early intervention leads to full remission.

So…Can Sleep Apnea Be Cured?

It depends on the cause and the person.

Situations where sleep apnea may be cured:

• Significant, sustained weight loss, especially in younger adults or those with obesity-related OSA
• Surgical correction of structural issues (like jaw repositioning)
• Removal of tonsils/adenoids in children
• Treating a reversible cause, like nasal blockage or pregnancy

Situations where it’s only manageable:

• Age-related muscle tone loss
• Chronic obesity or genetic airway structure
• Neurological causes (in central sleep apnea)

And even when a full “cure” isn’t possible, consistent treatment can normalize oxygen levels, restore sleep quality, and drastically reduce long-term risks.

So while sleep apnea often isn’t curable in the traditional sense, it is almost always treatable, with life-altering results.

Start With a Free Sleep Assessment From Us

We built Nightly to make the first step easy. Our free online sleep assessment helps identify the signs of sleep apnea and other common sleep issues, so you don’t have to keep guessing.

No lab appointment. No awkward calls. Just answers.

Sleep apnea can drain your energy, strain your health, and disrupt your life. Our free sleep assessment can help you understand what’s going on and what to do next to finally get real rest.

‍

‍

References

1. Marie-Pierre St-Onge, & Esra Tasali. (2020). Weight Loss Is Integral to Obstructive Sleep Apnea Management. Ten-Year Follow-up in Sleep AHEAD. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 203(2), 161–162. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.202007-2906ed
2. Malhotra, A., Grunstein, R. R., Fietze, I., Weaver, T. E., Redline, S., Azarbarzin, A., Sands, S. A., Schwab, R. J., Dunn, J. P., Chakladar, S., Bunck, M. C., & Bednarik, J. (2024). Tirzepatide for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 391(13), 1193–1205. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2404881
3. ‌Anitua, E., Durán-Cantolla, J., Almeida, G. Z., & Alkhraisat, M. H. (2017). Minimizing the mandibular advancement in an oral appliance for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep Medicine, 34, 226–231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2016.12.019

Disclaimer: This is not medical advice and should not be treated as such. Always talk to a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.

‍