Treating Sleep Apnoea
At St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, our approach goes beyond simply treating the symptoms of sleep apnoea.
We provide comprehensive private sleep apnoea treatment in London, with treatment tailored to the severity and underlying cause of your condition. In line with NICE guidance, this may include lifestyle changes, CPAP therapy, a mandibular advancement splint or, for selected patients, surgery to improve the airway.
Led by experienced sleep specialists, our multidisciplinary team provides personalised assessment and treatment for conditions including sleep apnoea, snoring, insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness. By identifying the cause of your symptoms, we can recommend the most appropriate treatment to help you sleep better and improve your overall health and wellbeing.
With access to specialist sleep medicine, ENT expertise, diagnostic testing and advanced imaging within one private hospital, we offer a joined-up pathway from diagnosis through to long-term management. This may include home sleep studies, overnight assessments and, where symptoms continue despite treatment, nocturnal video polysomnography.
Our multi-disciplinary team
Our Sleep Clinic brings together experienced consultants from a range of specialties, including sleep medicine, respiratory medicine and ENT, to provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for sleep apnoea. By working collaboratively, our specialists ensure you receive the most appropriate investigation and personalised treatment for your individual needs.
CPAP Treatment for Sleep Apnoea
Continuous positive airway pressure, commonly known as CPAP, is a well-established treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea. A CPAP machine delivers a continuous flow of air through a mask while you sleep, helping to keep the airway open and prevent interruptions to your breathing.
CPAP is recommended as a first-line treatment for many patients with symptomatic obstructive sleep apnoea. Your specialist will advise whether it is the most appropriate option based on your diagnosis, symptoms and individual circumstances.
Mandibular advancement splint (MAS)
For some patients, CPAP may not be suitable or well tolerated. Depending on your condition, your consultant may recommend an alternative treatment.
A mandibular advancement splint (MAS) is a custom-made, two-piece dental device worn while sleeping. It gently positions the lower jaw forwards, helping to maintain an open airway and reduce obstruction during sleep.
Our specialists can assess your suitability and recommend the most appropriate approach to managing your sleep apnoea.
Surgery for sleep apnoea
For some patients, surgery may be recommended when an anatomical obstruction contributes to narrowing or collapse of the airway. Your consultant will carry out a detailed assessment, which may include drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE), to identify the cause and plan treatment around your individual anatomy.
Depending on the cause of your sleep apnoea, treatment may involve nasal surgery to improve breathing and support treatments such as CPAP, or throat surgery to widen the airway.
In some cases, abnormalities in the position of the upper and lower jaws may contribute to sleep apnoea. Selected patients may therefore be referred to a specialist maxillofacial consultant to consider procedures such as maxillomandibular advancement surgery.
Frequently asked questions about sleep apnoea treatment
Treatment depends on the type and severity of sleep apnoea and the underlying cause. Options can include lifestyle changes, CPAP, a custom-made mandibular advancement splint and, for selected patients, surgery. Your specialist will recommend treatment following a comprehensive assessment.
CPAP is a first-line treatment for many people with obstructive sleep apnoea and works by keeping the airway open while you sleep. NICE guidance also recommends other options in appropriate circumstances, including lifestyle measures and mandibular advancement splints.
Yes. Depending on your diagnosis, alternatives can include a custom-made mandibular advancement splint or surgery to address an obstruction within the nose or throat. Your consultant can assess which options are appropriate for you.
Surgery can significantly improve sleep apnoea in appropriately selected patients, particularly when a specific area of airway obstruction can be identified. However, results vary and surgery is not suitable for everyone. A detailed assessment, often including drug-induced sleep endoscopy, helps determine whether surgery is appropriate.
Drug-induced sleep endoscopy is an investigation used to examine the airway while you are sedated. It allows your specialist to identify where the airway narrows or collapses during sleep and can help determine the most appropriate surgical treatment.
Yes. St John & St Elizabeth Hospital provides private sleep apnoea assessment and treatment in St John’s Wood, London, with access to specialist diagnostics and a range of non-surgical and surgical treatment options.
Medically reviewed by Dr Sara McNeillis - MBBS, FRCA, MMed (Sleep Medicine) on 01/08/2026