Is sleep apnea "curable"

My Father asked me the other day how long I would need my cpap for and I wasn't sure how to answer.

Are there any cases of CPAP users being "healed" and no longer needing treatment? It seems that there are so many different types of sleep apnea and associated treatments, that I've never really seen a "here's what it is, here's what causes it, here's what cures it". I know in my case, weight, smoking, among other things seem to be the biggest causes. But I doubt that if I quit smoking and lost 50 pounds tomorrow that I would be able to give up my treatment.

-thoughts?

Unfortunately, there in no "one" cure and potentially is no cure for a number of individuals. However, there have been many success stories out there, be it weight loss or nasal/upper airway surgery.

The vast majority of us are stuck for life on the hose, whether or not we lose some weight, quit smoking or anything much else short of having Nissen fundoplication surgery (where your stomach is turned into a tiny pouch and you eat like a bird). It's not 'done' for OSA, but a side effect is not having OSA any longer most of the time.

Absolutely yes, it is curable if your constriction is due to anatomical reasons, i.e. your airway is too small and be corrected by surgery. My friend was "cured" by this surgery - he no longer uses cpap and doesn't suffer from sleep apnea. However, not everyone is a successful candidate for this surgery, or if the cause of OSA is brain and not airway-related, then obviously the airway surgery would not be helpful.