Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Q Can sleep apnea be managed with Korean medicine treatment alone, without CPAP?

A. If the case is mild (AHI 5-14) and obesity and phlegm-dampness are the main causes, it can sometimes be adequately managed with Korean medicine treatment alone. For severe cases (AHI 30+), combining treatment with CPAP is safer.

Q If I have sleep apnea, will I develop high blood pressure too?

A. Yes. About 50% of sleep apnea patients also have high blood pressure. When the sympathetic nervous system is over-activated by night-time apnea, blood pressure rises, making it a major cause of treatment-resistant hypertension.

Q Does sleep apnea make depression or anxiety worse?

A. Yes. When chronic sleep fragmentation causes an imbalance of serotonin and dopamine, depressed mood, anxiety, and reduced concentration appear. In many cases, when sleep quality improves with sleep apnea treatment, mood disorders improve as well.

Q Is there a good sleeping position for sleep apnea?

A. Sleeping on your side keeps the airway widest. When you lie on your back, the tongue and soft palate fall backward and narrow the airway.

Q Does exercise help with snoring and sleep apnea?

A. Losing weight through aerobic exercise improves AHI. In addition, studies show that exercises to strengthen the upper airway muscles (oral myofunctional therapy) are effective at reducing apnea.

Q Is nasal bloodletting treatment safe?

A. Nasal bloodletting is a safe procedure performed by a Korean medicine doctor. A small amount of blood is drawn from designated acupoints around the nose using sterilized instruments, and serious side effects after the procedure are rare.

Q Is it okay to take Yijin-tang or Banhahubak-tang family herbal medicines long-term?

A. Formulas of the Yijin-tang and Banhahubak-tang families, used to remove phlegm-dampness, are relatively gentle prescriptions. However, since the dosage and composition vary depending on your constitution and condition, it is safest to take them under a Korean medicine doctor's prescription.

Q Can I take herbal medicine while using a CPAP machine?

A. Yes. CPAP is a device that mechanically keeps the airway open, so it works by a different mechanism than herbal medicine and can be used together. In fact, improving your phlegm-dampness and Spleen-Stomach constitution with herbal medicine may help reduce your dependence on CPAP.

Q What happens if sleep apnea is left untreated?

A. If left untreated, the risk of high blood pressure, arrhythmia, diabetes, and stroke increases significantly. As oxygen saturation repeatedly drops, chronic stress builds up on the blood vessels and heart.

Q Can sleep apnea completely disappear after Korean medicine treatment?

A. When weight loss and improvement of the phlegm-dampness constitution occur together, apnea can be greatly reduced or disappear in mild to moderate cases. However, if structural causes (deviated nasal septum, enlarged tonsils) are significant, a complete cure with Korean medicine alone is difficult.

Q Why does sleep apnea develop?

A. During sleep, the muscles of the upper airway (throat and pharynx) relax, causing the airway to become repeatedly blocked. Obesity, increased neck circumference, and jaw structure abnormalities are the main causes.

Q Are snoring and sleep apnea different things?

A. Snoring is the vibrating sound made when the airway narrows, while sleep apnea is a state in which the airway is completely blocked and breathing stops for 10 seconds or more. Heavy snoring can be an early warning sign of sleep apnea.

Q Are there foods that worsen sleep apnea?

A. Alcohol, sedatives, and sleeping pills excessively relax the airway muscles and worsen apnea. Late-night overeating, wheat flour, and dairy products can also increase phlegm-dampness, so caution is needed.

Q How much does obesity affect sleep apnea?

A. Studies show that losing just 10% of body weight can reduce AHI by more than 30%. When fat around the neck and pharynx decreases, the airway widens and apnea improves significantly.

Q How often do I need to visit for Korean medicine treatment of sleep apnea?

A. For the first 1-2 months, visits are every 2 weeks, after which they are adjusted to every 4 weeks depending on your condition. Because the prescription is modified based on whether snoring improves, regular visits are important.

Q In what order does sleep apnea treatment proceed at Dongjedang?

A. It proceeds in the following order: first visit, then diagnosis of the phlegm-dampness and Spleen-deficiency constitution, then prescription (Yijin-tang family) plus nasal bloodletting, then a follow-up check after 2-4 weeks, alongside weight management and lifestyle guidance.

Q Do I have to undergo a polysomnography (PSG) during sleep apnea treatment?

A. It is not strictly necessary, but it is helpful for obtaining an objective standard when severe disease is suspected or when there is no response to treatment. Having an AHI value makes it possible to set Korean medicine treatment goals and assess progress more accurately.

Q Can Korean medicine treatment really improve sleep apnea?

A. In mild to moderate sleep apnea, there are many cases of reduced snoring frequency and improved daytime sleepiness after treatment to remove phlegm-dampness and strengthen the Spleen-Stomach. For severe cases (AHI 30+), combining treatment with CPAP is recommended.