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.
Detailed Answer
Likelihood of a Cure and Realistic Goals
The outcome of sleep apnea treatment varies greatly depending on the cause.
- When phlegm-dampness and obesity are the main causes: there are many cases of AHI normalizing when weight loss is combined with phlegm-dampness-removing formulas
- When structural causes (deviated nasal septum, micrognathia, enlarged tonsils) are the main causes: Korean medicine treatment plays a supporting role, and structural correction (surgery) may need to be considered
Setting Treatment Goals at Dongjedang
At the first visit, we comprehensively assess the degree of phlegm-dampness and Spleen deficiency, body weight, and symptom severity (estimated AHI) to set goals together in three-month increments. Even when a complete cure is difficult, we aim for step-by-step improvement in the order of reduced snoring frequency, then improved daytime sleepiness, then stabilization of accompanying blood pressure.
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