Sleep apnea often starts with disrupted sleep and loud snoring, but for many, it leads to daily fatigue, memory issues, and long-term health concerns. While this common disorder can feel overwhelming, the good news is that there are several highly effective ways to treat it.
At Bogan Sleep Consultants in Columbia, SC, Dr. Richard K. Bogan, Dr. Laura B. Herpel, and our expert team offer comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for obstructive sleep apnea and related sleep disorders. Whether you're newly diagnosed or looking for alternatives to your current therapy, we guide you toward lasting, restful relief. Call (803) 251-3093 or schedule your consultation online to get started.
Here’s what you need to know about today’s most trusted sleep apnea treatment options.
Understanding Sleep Apnea and Its Impact
Sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing stops and starts during sleep. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where the upper airway collapses or becomes blocked, often due to relaxed throat muscles. Less commonly, central sleep apnea results from the brain not sending the correct signals to the muscles that control breathing.
These interruptions, called apneas and hypopneas, can lower blood oxygen levels, raise blood pressure, and disrupt deep sleep stages. This may result in excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and metabolic conditions.
Severity of obstructive sleep apnea is measured by the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI):
- Mild sleep apnea: 5–15 events/hour
- Moderate sleep apnea: 15–30 events/hour
- Severe obstructive sleep apnea: Over 30 events/hour
If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, a sleep study—either at home or in a lab—can help diagnose sleep apnea and guide treatment.
CPAP Therapy for Sleep Apnea
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) remains the frontline treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This therapy works by delivering a steady stream of air pressure through a mask while you sleep, keeping your upper airway open and preventing breathing interruptions throughout the night.
Why CPAP Therapy Is So Effective:
- Stabilizes your airway to prevent collapse and restore uninterrupted breathing
- Improves sleep quality, allowing you to feel more rested and alert during the day
- Reduces excessive daytime sleepiness, improving mood, focus, and productivity
- Supports cardiovascular health by managing blood pressure and reducing strain on the heart
For some patients, particularly those with central sleep apnea or difficulty adjusting to standard CPAP settings, bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) may be more appropriate. BiPAP provides two levels of pressure for easier breathing during exhalation.
If you’ve had trouble adapting to CPAP therapy, don’t give up. At Bogan Sleep Consultants, we help patients fine-tune their equipment, address comfort issues, and explore alternative solutions if needed. Our goal is to make sure your treatment is both effective and easy to use, so you can breathe and sleep better every night.
Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea
For individuals with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or those who find CPAP therapy difficult to tolerate, oral appliances offer an effective and easy-to-use alternative. These custom-fitted devices work by gently repositioning the lower jaw and tongue to help keep the upper airway open during sleep, minimizing apneas and improving airflow.
Oral appliances may be ideal for:
- Mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- Positional sleep apnea, where symptoms worsen while lying on your back
- Patients unable to tolerate CPAP therapy
At Bogan Sleep Consultants, we work closely with sleep-trained dentists to ensure each appliance is carefully selected and fitted for your unique airway anatomy. This collaboration helps enhance comfort, compliance, and effectiveness.
These devices are small, quiet, and easy to travel with, making them a preferred option for many individuals seeking a non-invasive, convenient solution to manage their sleep apnea and improve nighttime breathing.
If you’re exploring alternatives to CPAP or seeking a more flexible treatment option, our team can help determine if an oral appliance is the right fit for your needs.
Medication Support: Introducing Zepbound for Weight-Related Sleep Apnea
In cases where excess weight contributes to obstructive sleep apnea, medical weight loss can be a valuable part of your treatment plan. Zepbound™ (tirzepatide), an FDA-approved medication, is now available as a tool to help eligible patients manage weight more effectively.
Zepbound works by targeting multiple hormone pathways that regulate appetite and blood sugar, helping patients reduce caloric intake and promote sustained weight loss. For individuals with a high BMI and sleep apnea linked to obesity, this treatment may help lessen airway obstruction and improve nighttime breathing.
At Bogan Sleep Consultants, we’ll assess whether Zepbound or other weight management options could complement your sleep apnea therapy and refer you appropriately to ensure safe, coordinated care. As with all treatments, our providers will review your medical history to ensure it’s the right fit for your care plan.
Lifestyle Changes and Surgical Options
Successfully managing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often involves more than one approach. In addition to medical therapies, addressing contributing lifestyle factors can play a key role in improving breathing and sleep quality.
Lifestyle strategies that support treatment:
- Weight management: Reducing excess weight helps decrease pressure on the upper airway.
- Avoiding alcohol and sedatives: These can relax throat muscles and worsen airway obstruction.
- Quitting smoking: Smoking increases inflammation and fluid retention in the airway.
- Managing nasal allergies: Proper allergy control can improve nighttime airflow and reduce snoring.
- Changing sleep position: Avoiding sleeping on your back can ease airway collapse in positional OSA.
- Considering adjunctive therapies: For some, positional therapy or daytime neuromuscular electrical stimulation may help strengthen airway muscles.
These changes can enhance the effectiveness of other sleep apnea treatments or provide relief in milder cases.
When Surgery for Sleep Apnea Is Considered
In cases of moderate to severe OSA where CPAP or oral appliances are not effective or well-tolerated, surgical intervention may be considered. The type of surgery depends on your anatomy, sleep study findings, and previous treatment outcomes.
Common Surgical Options Include:
- Upper airway stimulation: Also called hypoglossal nerve stimulation, this device activates the muscles that keep your airway open during sleep.
- Soft palate or nasal surgery: Procedures like uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) or nasal septoplasty can address anatomical blockages.
- Jaw advancement procedures: Surgeries such as genioglossus advancement or maxillomandibular advancement can enlarge the airway and reduce obstruction.
- Bariatric surgery: For patients with obesity-related OSA and a high BMI, weight loss surgery may offer long-term benefits.
- Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE): In select cases, this advanced diagnostic tool helps visualize the airway during sedation to guide targeted surgical planning.
At Bogan Sleep Consultants, we assess each patient carefully to determine whether surgical evaluation is appropriate and coordinate with trusted specialists when needed.
Trusted Sleep Medicine in Columbia, SC
When it comes to treating sleep apnea and related sleep disorders, expert care makes all the difference. At Bogan Sleep Consultants, we combine advanced diagnostics, personalised care, and proven therapies to help you sleep better with safety and confidence.
Here’s why patients trust Dr. Richard K. Bogan and our team:
- Board-Certified Expertise: Dr. Bogan and Dr. Herpel are nationally recognized leaders in sleep medicine and pulmonary care, with decades of experience diagnosing and treating complex sleep disorders.
- Comprehensive Sleep Apnea Services: We treat all types and severities of sleep apnea, including obstructive, central, and complex cases, using evidence-based approaches.
- Personalised Treatment Plans: Every patient receives a care plan designed around their individual sleep patterns, lifestyle, and health goals.
- Full Range of Therapies: From CPAP and oral appliances to lifestyle interventions and surgical coordination, we provide all major sleep apnea treatment options.
- Trusted Local Care: Located in Columbia, SC, our practice offers in-house consultations, sleep testing coordination, and long-term follow-up under one roof.
Ready to Sleep Better? We Can Help.
Better sleep is possible with the right care and support. Whether you’re seeking relief from mild sleep apnea or exploring advanced surgery for sleep apnea, our Columbia-based team is here to help.
Call us at (803) 251-3093 or request an appointment online to schedule your consultation with Dr. Bogan or Dr. Herpel today.
