Sleep Apnea Treatments And Diagnosis
Sleep apnea is a problem where there are temporary breaks in the breathing cycle of a person during sleep. The person who has this sleep disorder normally makes snoring sounds while asleep that causes problems for their partner trying to fall asleep and should seek sleep apnea treatments if available.
Based on the symptoms such as sudden awaking during sleep at night, loud snoring and daytime sleepiness, one can go for a proper diagnosis if they believe they suffer from sleep apnea. The doctor who will diagnose you for the presence of sleep apnea will generally first ask for a detailed family history. Then the doctor will examine your nose, mouth, as well as throat for some enlarged tissues that might be obstructing the airflow causing breaks in your breathing pattern.
The common tests done by a doctor are:
-Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), in which the doctor records the time in which you fall asleep during the day. Falling asleep quickly indicates that you are probably not getting enough sleep at night.
-Polysomnogram (PSG), is a test in which your breathing pattern is recorded throughout the night by a sleep specialist and that information is used to determine if you have a sleep disorder.
If you are diagnosed with a case of serious sleep apnea, then more sophisticated medical treatments might be required, these include:
-Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), in which the person suffering from the sleep disorder of sleep apnea has to wear a special mask that keeps the airway open through the night while sleeping. It is the most common treatment offered for serious cases of sleep apnea. The airway is prevented from collapsing by pushing pressurized air through the mask and into the sufferers airway.
-Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), which is basically a surgical method where the extra overgrown obstructive tissue is removed from the airway. The tissue is removed from nose, throat, neck, uvula or soft palate to remove the blockage of air. The surgeon may also consider adjusting the shape of your jaw, if it is believed to be in some way obstructive.
-Medical Mouthpieces, which are special types of mouthpieces, that help the person suffering from sleep apnea. Sufferers wear these while they sleep, it is designed to help them keep their airway broad and prevent choking during sleep. They basically keep the air passage clear through to the throat.
If you believe you are suffering from sleep apnea, consult your doctor for diagnosis and to talk about the appropriate treatment.
Tags: daytime sleepiness, multiple sleep latency test, Polysomnogram, Sleep Apnea, sleep apnea treatment, Sleep Apnea Treatments, sleep disorder, UvulopalatopharyngoplastyRelated posts
Sleep Apnea Treatments – Medical Choices
When someone suffers from any physical ailments they immediately think that the only way to solve the problem is by seeking medical assistance as well as surgery. Well, in most cases they’re correct in their assumptions, but not every case need to be solved with surgery. In this post we will talk about different sleep apnea treatments that on looked into medically.
The first one that we will discuss is not really a medical procedure like surgery or something of the sort. Instead the treatment is referred to as “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure” (CPAP). Continuous positive airway pressure is a treatment where a mask is worn over the nose and or the mouth while you sleep. Think of it of something like a oxygen mask. The mask is connected to a machine that would deliver a steady flow of air into your nostrils. The pressure from the machine will help keep your airways open so that your breathing is not interrupted or impaired. This may be uncomfortable for some to wear while they try to sleep, but if you think about it, Sleep apnea does not make it easy for you to sleep as it is.
There are also things dental devices that can be worn while you sleep that won’t be as uncomfortable as wearing a mask. These dental devices are made to help keep the person’s airway open while they sleep. These devices are specifically made to to fit the individual by a dentist that has special experience with sleep apnea.
Now in the cases that need to be solved with surgery. Unfortunately for some people they don’t have a choice but to go for some sort of surgery. Typically if you suffer from sleep apnea and you have a deviated septum, enlarged tonsils or a small lower jaw with an overbite that may be causing your throat to be abnormally narrow then surgery may just be want is needed to correct sleep apnea.
The most commonly performed surgical procedures for sleep apnea include:
Somnoplasty: A minimally invasive procedure to reduce the soft tissue in the upper airway.
Nasal surgery: Correction of nasal obstructions such as a deviated septum.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): A procedure that removes soft tissue on the back of the throat and palate, increasing the width of the airway at the throat opening.
Mandibular maxillar advancement surgery: Invasive surgery to correct certain facial abnormalities or throat obstructions that contribute to sleep apnea.
Tags: causes of sleep apnea, enlarged tonsils, nasal surgery, Signs Of Sleep Apnea, Sleep Apnea, sleep apnea treatment, Sleep Apnea Treatments, Somnoplasty, treating sleep apnea, Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty