Many people have been there: You love your partner, but their sleep issues are disrupting your ability to get a good night’s rest. When they refuse to wear a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it can leave you feeling frustrated, exhausted, and wondering what to do next.

Fortunately, CPAP isn’t the only option. There are several effective CPAP alternatives for sleep apnea that may bring relief and a better night’s sleep for both of you.

Why Some People Struggle With a CPAP

Before looking at CPAP alternatives, it’s important to ask your partner why they won’t use a CPAP device. Their reasons may surprise you. Some of their concerns may be fixable.

Common CPAP challenges include:

• The mask feels uncomfortable or doesn’t fit properly.
• Wearing the mask can make some people feel claustrophobic.
• There are unwanted side effects, including dry mouth, congestion, or nosebleeds.
• Redness or skin irritation develops where the mask touches the face.
• The pressurized air feels too intense.
• Sounds from the machine make it difficult to fall or stay asleep.

With the right support, many CPAP issues can be resolved. CPAP masks come in many styles and sizes, and the air pressure and humidity settings are usually adjustable. Mask liners or extra padding can help prevent skin irritation, and white noise machines or earplugs can help block out machine noise.

With the right support, many CPAP issues can be resolved. Consider meeting with a sleep specialist to ask for help.

Before you and your partner give up on CPAP therapy altogether, consider scheduling an appointment with their healthcare provider or a sleep specialist to explain the situation and ask for support. Bringing a list of questions and concerns can help your provider understand what’s going on, find possible fixes, and make a treatment plan that works for you.

CPAP Alternatives for Sleep Apnea

When a sleep disorder like OSA goes untreated, it doesn’t just affect the person with the condition. It can impact their partner’s health and sleep quality, too.

Sleep plays a vital role in overall health and quality of life. Ongoing lack of sleep has been linked to serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke. It can also take a toll on mood, daytime functioning, and even relationship quality.

Left untreated, the symptoms of sleep apnea can create long-term issues for both of you. If your partner won’t use a CPAP device, it may be time to look into alternative treatment options.

Oral Appliances

Oral appliances for sleep apnea are custom-fitted mouthpieces designed to help keep the airway open during sleep. They work by moving the lower jaw or tongue forward.

There are two main types of oral appliances used to treat sleep apnea: mandibular advancement devices, which move the jaw forward, and tongue-retaining devices, which hold the tongue in place to keep the airway clear.

Mouthguards and other oral devices are available without a prescription. However, if it doesn’t fit properly, it can cause side effects, including gum irritation, excessive saliva production, and pain in the jaw, teeth, and face. A dentist trained in sleep apnea treatment should fit the device and check in with you afterward.

Positional Therapy

For many people, the symptoms of sleep apnea tend to be worse when sleeping on their back. If this is true for your partner, positional therapy may help reduce airway obstruction.

If your partner’s sleep apnea symptoms are worse when sleeping on their back, positional therapy may help reduce airway obstruction.

Positional therapy uses special clothing or devices to keep a person sleeping on their side, which can improve airflow. Some people use a pajama top with a tennis ball sewn into the back to prevent themselves from rolling over, while others choose wearable devices that gently vibrate when back sleeping is detected.

If side sleeping isn’t a comfortable option for your partner, elevating their head may also reduce sleep apnea symptoms. This can be done by raising the head of the bed or using a wedge pillow to support their shoulders, neck, and head. If needed, you can talk with a sleep medicine specialist for advice.

Weight Management

A higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with an increased risk of sleep apnea. If your partner is living with obesity or carrying excess weight, working on weight loss with a healthcare provider or weight management professional may help reduce their symptoms.

Extra weight can put pressure on the neck and upper airway, making it easier for breathing to become blocked during sleep. For some people with obesity, losing 5 percent to 10 percent of body weight may help improve sleep apnea symptoms.

When appropriate, weight loss can be a highly effective, long-term strategy for managing sleep apnea and improving overall health.

In December 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved tirzepatide (Zepbound) to treat moderate to severe OSA in adults with obesity, along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. It’s taken as a once-weekly injection to help with weight loss.

Lifestyle Changes

Some daily habits can make sleep apnea symptoms better or worse. Alcohol, for example, relaxes the throat muscles, potentially contributing to airway collapse and increased snoring. Avoiding alcohol in the evening may help ease sleep apnea symptoms. Quitting smoking, if you smoke, is another lifestyle change that can help.

Regular physical activity can also be beneficial. Exercise supports overall health, helps with weight management, and may help you sleep better. Making lifestyle changes can be challenging for some, so your partner might find it easier to set and achieve goals if you work together.

Surgical Options

Surgery can be an option for sleep apnea if other treatments haven’t worked. Procedures may include removing the tonsils, reducing the size of the tongue, or reshaping tissue in the throat (called uvulopalatopharyngoplasty).

A newer surgical approach for sleep apnea is hypoglossal nerve stimulation, often called Inspire therapy. This treatment involves implanting a small device beneath the clavicle that sends signals to stimulate the hypoglossal nerve, which controls tongue movement. This action pushes the tongue forward, opening the airway and improving airflow.

Surgery isn’t right for everyone, and outcomes vary. If your partner is considering a surgical procedure for sleep apnea, encourage them to talk with their healthcare provider or a sleep specialist to understand the potential risks and benefits.

Practical Tips for Partners

While managing the symptoms of sleep apnea is your partner’s responsibility, your support can have a positive impact.

While managing the symptoms of sleep apnea is your partner’s responsibility, your support can have a positive impact.

Here are some practical ways to help your partner navigate life with sleep apnea:

• Attend medical appointments with them, if they’re comfortable with that, and go in prepared with questions and concerns.
• Encourage your partner to schedule follow-up appointments as needed to ensure any new or ongoing symptoms are addressed.
• If they haven’t had a sleep test or sleep study yet, encourage your partner to ask their healthcare provider about sleep testing.
• Create a comfortable sleep environment at home by making your bedroom quiet, dark, and free from distractions.
• Join your partner in making healthy lifestyle changes, like getting regular exercise, eating well, and reducing or eliminating alcohol intake.
• Learn about sleep apnea and its treatments so you can better understand what your partner is experiencing and how to support them.
• Connect with others by joining an in-person support group or online community.

OSA is a serious sleep disorder. It’s best treated by a healthcare provider experienced in sleep medicine and shouldn’t be ignored. If your partner won’t use a CPAP machine, talk to them about other options. Together, you can support your partner’s health and well-being and ensure you both get a good night’s sleep.

Join the Conversation

On MySleepApneaTeam, people share their experiences with sleep apnea, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Do you have tips for living with a partner who won’t use a CPAP machine? Let others know in the comments below.