Severe sleep apnea can disrupt your life, leaving you fatigued and irritable. It can also increase your risk of health problems such as high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation, and lead to accidents while driving or working. But it can be treated, and you may not need to use medication.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of the disorder, and it’s caused by blockages in your throat. These include excess weight, a large overbite, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, a thick throat, some dental conditions such as a crooked lower jaw, and a narrowed airway caused by the shape of your nose or mouth. OSA can affect people of all ages, but it’s more common in children and adults who are overweight or have other conditions that make them more likely to develop it.

Managing Severe Sleep Apnea: What You Need to Know

Mild cases of OSA are often improved with lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and treating allergies or nasal congestion. If these don’t help, your doctor might suggest a device to help keep your airway open while you sleep. A popular option is a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine. The simplest models look like masks that cover your face and mouth during sleep, and they deliver a gentle flow of air into your throat to prevent obstructions. If a CPAP machine isn’t comfortable, you can try other options such as upper airway stimulation or surgery.