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Medical Author:

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Dr. Nabili received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. He then completed his graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His graduate training included a specialized fellowship in public health where his research focused on environmental health and health-care delivery and management.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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There are no specific medications or natural remedies to treat sleep apnea. However, it is important to note that medications for any underlying conditions contributing to sleep apnea are essential to its adequate management.

There have been investigations of some medications for the treatment of obstructive or central sleep apnea, but there are not any conclusive data available at the present to replace the conventional therapy with the medical devices discussed below.

One medication, modafinil (Provigil), has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used as an adjunctive therapy for individuals with persistent daytime symptoms of sleep apnea despite adequate conventional treatment. This medication may help daytime sleepiness in patients with sleep apnea; however, it is not a replacement for CPAP or other modalities.

Temporary treatment for nasal congestion or other reversible and transient causes may also be beneficial when necessary.

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