Driving with Obstructive Sleep Apnea is just like Driving Under the Influence

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Categorized Under: Cures For Sleep Apnea
Dated: 5 Dec 2009
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If you are one of the millions of Americans who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), would you still get behind the wheel? You may think that the condition is harmless, and you may take it for granted. Sadly, this is the way of thinking for most people. Sadly, they pay the price.

The Ugly Truth

Out of all 3 types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea accounts for 84% of cases. Approximately 12 million Americans have this sleeping disorder. 90% of these American’s don’t even know they have it.

Studies show that people who suffer from this condition have the reflexes similar to legally intoxicated people. Out of all the drivers in the United States, it is estimated that 4.7 million of them have the sleeping disorder. Again, most of them don’t know they have it.

In a recent study, 1,391 truck drivers were tested for the condition. 28% or 390 of them were diagnosed with the condition. You can imagine all the mayhem they can cause, if just one of them were to fall asleep while driving.

In 2004 alone, 980 lives were lost, and $11.1 billion was spent on automobile accident costs, due to OSA. Imagine all the money that would have been put to better use. Imagine all the lives that would have been saved, if only more effort was put into proper treatment.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

There are various forms of widely used treatment for the condition.

These treatments are the following:

-      CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

-      Dental Mouthpiece

-      Surgery

These more popular treatments are well capable of curing the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. However, they also come with side effects that can cause additional health risks and in some cases fatal.

Examples of these are:

-      Severe Rash

-      Pain

-      Discomfort

-      Allergies

-      Nasal infection

-      Respiratory infection

Luckily, alternatives have been found, which do not have harmful side effects. In addition, these alternatives are just as effective, but not expensive.

These alternatives include:

-      Singing

-      Blowing on a didgeridoo

-      Apnea pillow

If only more education about sleep apnea were in circulation, more lives would have been saved. If the condition was to be detected and treated as early as possible, we would no longer have to worry about the growing number of casualties.

Sleep Apnea: What it is and What You should Know

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Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea Breathing Machine
Dated: 1 Dec 2009
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Snoring may seem like a mere annoyance to most people. But sometimes, snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, a serious medical condition that affects over 20 million Americans and drastically reduces their quality of life. In extreme cases, it can lead to death.

The word “apnea” is derived from a Greek word that means “want of breath.” In order to be diagnosed with sleep apnea, one must experience stoppage of breathing for a period of at least ten seconds more than five times in one hour. All of this counteracts the healing, restorative effects that nourishing deep sleep is meant to provide. Sleep is critical to health, just as important as a healthy diet and physical activity.

If it goes untreated for lengths of time, obstructive sleep apnea leads to hypertension, strokes, muscle pain, heart attacks, morning headaches and excessive daytime drowsiness. Many who have mild sleep apnea know that they snore while they sleep. At the same time, they may not link this and their daytime fatigue to the potentially life-threatening larger problems that could eventually make themselves known.

Symptoms

Sleep apnea makes its presence known in a variety of ways. And with the wide array of symptoms, different people may experience widely different combinations of the following:

If you notice you’re experiencing any of these, please keep in mind that they could be indicators of sleep apnea. Ignoring them could potentially result in major health risks, not to mention the diminished day-to-day concentration, which affects things like your job and being an active member of society. One potentially disastrous after-effect to keep in mind is experiencing drowsiness while driving, too. In children, academic underachievement and substandard mental development have been linked to sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea-Obstructive, Central and Mixed

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea Breathing Machine
Dated: 27 Nov 2009
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Sleep Apnea is part of the spectrum of what is called “Sleep Disordered Breathing” or “SDB.” The condition Sleep Apnea is commonly broken into three main categories. The three main categories of Sleep Apnea are as follows:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)

Mixed Sleep Apnea (MSA)

The three main categories, or types, of Sleep Apnea will be discussed in more detail below. Sleep Apnea is commonly and effectively treated with CPAP therapy (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). Keep in mind that this is not a comprehensive treatment on the subject of Sleep Apnea. For more information please reference the citations at the end of the article or speak with your doctor.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)With Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the soft tissue of the upper airway collapses during the night and slows air intake, eventually eliminating air intake altogether. When oxygen intake is reduced or eliminated and blood oxygen levels fall significantly, the brain sends an emergency signal to wake up and resume a normal breathing pattern. This process can happen as many as a few hundred times a night for some people with severe OSA. The use of a CPAP machine either drastically reduces these “apneic” events or eliminates them altogether. This results in the restoration of a normal breathing pattern and the CPAP user is able to achieve deep, REM(3) sleep, allowing the body to do routine maintenance and restore many healthful functions in the body.Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)Central Sleep Apnea is similar to OSA in its final effect on the sufferer, however, the mechanism of oxygen reduction is different. The principal mechanism of oxygen reduction in CSA is due to a failure of the brain to send a proper breathing “signal” to the muscles that control the breathing process. This type of Sleep Apnea is more rare than OSA and according to the Mayo Clinic accounts “for less than 5 percent of sleep apneas.”(4) Even though CSA is different in function than OSA, the outcome for the sufferer is the same–reduced oxygen intake through out the night, failure to reach deep sleep cycles and general fatigue throughout the day. Fortunately, in most cases, CSA can be treated with the same equipment that is used for those that suffer with OSA. Most CPAP, BiPAP and APAP machines have sophisticated circuitry which allows for the detection of different types of apneas, allowing the machine to adjust to the needs of the user throughout the night.Mixed Sleep Apnea (or Complex Apnea)According to the National Institutes of Health, Mixed Sleep Apnea is defined as a combination of both Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Central Sleep Apnea. The technical explanation for Mixed Sleep Apnea according to the NIH is as follows: “intervals of ten seconds or longer during which there was a complete cessation of airflow accompanied by an absence of respiratory effort in the early part of the apneic episode and a resumption of respiratory effort in the latter part.” Basically, this means that a CSA-related apneic event occurs, followed by an OSA-related apneic event. Interestingly, according to the study by the NIH, the sequence of events is always from CSA to OSA and never in reverse. In other words, the brain fails to send a signal to breath, resulting in an apneic event, followed by a collapse of the airway that further impedes oxygen flow. This makes sense, as it would not seem vary likely that an airway collapse related to an OSA-type event would cause the brain to misfire a breathing signal, however, a misfire by the brain would include the muscles involved in breathing and may lead to a loss of good muscle tone in the upper airway.

(1)http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea(2)http://www.sleepapnea.org/info/index.html(3)http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/sleep-101(4)http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/central-sleep-apnea/DS00995

Somnomedâ??s Somnodent Mas Treats Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Cures For Sleep Apnea
Dated: 21 Nov 2009
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Many studies on sleep patterns have been done throughout the years. Sleep experts say we need between six and eight hours of sleep to feel rested and function at our best during the day. For some, this simply means going to bed at a reasonable time. However, there are people who cannot feel rested no matter what time they go to bed because they snore, share the bed with someone who snores, or suffer from sleep apnea. Losing an hour or more of sleep a night because of snoring can add up over time. In the case of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the consequences can affect the health of the individual.

OSA is a condition in which an individual stops breathing due to their airway collapsing during sleep and blocking their breathing for up to ten seconds each time. When the OSA is serious, this cessation can occur more than 30 times an hour. These cessations in breathing cause the blood oxygen levels to decrease dramatically. Lower oxygen levels in the blood raise the threat of heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke.

Causes of Sleep Apnea and Snoring

As we sleep, our muscles are relaxed. When the tongue and throat muscles relax, they can block the airway. A partial collapse of the airway results in the sound we call snoring. A complete collapse of the airway cuts off breathing and results in an apneic event. When this happens, you will wake up and begin breathing again because your muscles are no longer relaxed. This may happen as little as five times every hour, or as many as 30 or more times an hour. Obviously, your sleep pattern is going to be affected.

People who are obese, smoke, or consume alcohol have a higher chance of snoring and a greater risk of OSA. Men are more likely to suffer from OSA than women are.

Oral Appliances

If you suffer from snoring or have been diagnosed by a sleep apnea specialist, you may find treatment through oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances are custom-fitted for each patient to minimize the effects of snoring or sleep apnea in a variety of ways. By correcting the position of the jaw, or repositioning the jaw, the tongue and soft tissue will no longer interfere with your airway. One of the most effective oral appliances is the SomnoDent mandibular advancement splint (MAS), manufactured by SomnoMed.

SomnoDent MAS

The SomnoDent MAS is worn over the teeth, much like a sports mouth guard, as you sleep. It pushes the jaw forward from its natural position and, like other oral appliances, keeps the tongue in position and tightens the soft tissue to keep your airway open. Studies have shown that over 60% of patients who wear SomnoDent MAS experience a complete halt in OSA, and those who still have symptoms have a 50% decrease in the severity of their sleep apnea. Episodes of snoring decreased 43% in studies and lowered the volume of snoring (something your bed partner would probably be grateful for).

SomnoDent MAS features a patented â??fin-couplingâ? component which allows the wearer to speak and drink as they normally would.

If you suffer from snoring or believe you may have obstructive sleep apnea and are interested in finding out if SomnoDent MAS by SomnoMed is right for you, please contact Dr. Ira L. Shapira at the Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment Center for a free consultation.

Somnomedâ??s Somnodent Mas Treats Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea Breathing Machine
Dated: 20 Nov 2009
Comments: 0

Many studies on sleep patterns have been done throughout the years. Sleep experts say we need between six and eight hours of sleep to feel rested and function at our best during the day. For some, this simply means going to bed at a reasonable time. However, there are people who cannot feel rested no matter what time they go to bed because they snore, share the bed with someone who snores, or suffer from sleep apnea. Losing an hour or more of sleep a night because of snoring can add up over time. In the case of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the consequences can affect the health of the individual.

OSA is a condition in which an individual stops breathing due to their airway collapsing during sleep and blocking their breathing for up to ten seconds each time. When the OSA is serious, this cessation can occur more than 30 times an hour. These cessations in breathing cause the blood oxygen levels to decrease dramatically. Lower oxygen levels in the blood raise the threat of heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke.

Causes of Sleep Apnea and Snoring

As we sleep, our muscles are relaxed. When the tongue and throat muscles relax, they can block the airway. A partial collapse of the airway results in the sound we call snoring. A complete collapse of the airway cuts off breathing and results in an apneic event. When this happens, you will wake up and begin breathing again because your muscles are no longer relaxed. This may happen as little as five times every hour, or as many as 30 or more times an hour. Obviously, your sleep pattern is going to be affected.

People who are obese, smoke, or consume alcohol have a higher chance of snoring and a greater risk of OSA. Men are more likely to suffer from OSA than women are.

Oral Appliances

If you suffer from snoring or have been diagnosed by a sleep apnea specialist, you may find treatment through oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances are custom-fitted for each patient to minimize the effects of snoring or sleep apnea in a variety of ways. By correcting the position of the jaw, or repositioning the jaw, the tongue and soft tissue will no longer interfere with your airway. One of the most effective oral appliances is the SomnoDent mandibular advancement splint (MAS), manufactured by SomnoMed.

SomnoDent MAS

The SomnoDent MAS is worn over the teeth, much like a sports mouth guard, as you sleep. It pushes the jaw forward from its natural position and, like other oral appliances, keeps the tongue in position and tightens the soft tissue to keep your airway open. Studies have shown that over 60% of patients who wear SomnoDent MAS experience a complete halt in OSA, and those who still have symptoms have a 50% decrease in the severity of their sleep apnea. Episodes of snoring decreased 43% in studies and lowered the volume of snoring (something your bed partner would probably be grateful for).

SomnoDent MAS features a patented â??fin-couplingâ? component which allows the wearer to speak and drink as they normally would.

If you suffer from snoring or believe you may have obstructive sleep apnea and are interested in finding out if SomnoDent MAS by SomnoMed is right for you, please contact Dr. Ira L. Shapira at the Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment Center for a free consultation.

Sleep Apnea – It’s not Just Loud Snoring

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea Breathing Machine
Dated: 18 Nov 2009
Comments: 0

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is an illness that many people fail to recognize until after the symptoms have caused grief to the family and employers. In fact, the spouse is often the first one to realize that there may be a physical reason for the odd behaviors and symptoms of someone suffering from sleep apnea (OSA).

Someone suffering from this sleep disorder will often snore very loudly. The snoring may be so loud, in fact, that his or her partner gets little sleep. Someone with OSA will also appear to stop breathing for a second or two during sleep, which looks like they’re temporarily holding their breath. The subsequent lack of oxygen causes them to be startled awake, but often they are completely unaware that they wake up many times during the night. Since the individual usually drops back to sleep almost immediately, and then begins snoring again, partners often believes they are the only ones missing sleep. This can be a severe strain on the relationship, especially if the person with OSA refuses to seek treatment.

It may look as though an individual with this sleep disorder is getting lots of sleep, so it seems strange to others if the individual has difficulty staying awake during the daytime, even dropping off to sleep at inappropriate times. They may have difficulty concentrating, and appear depressed. Because they really aren’t getting quality sleep during the night, they may also have a reduced interest in sex, and other personality changes can also occur. Some of these symptoms are similar to common mental health disorders, and others are seen by friends and coworkers as symptoms of laziness or sloth. This judgement can add to the individual’s stress, and can make relationship problems even worse.

If someone you know who suffers from these symptoms, it would be wise to encourage them to see their doctor. The snoring and obstructed breathing during sleep usually have a physical cause, which may vary from one individual to another. There may be an obstruction in the upper airway due to excess tissue caused by obesity, or the tonsils or tongue may be too large. In addition, the airway muscles are usually relaxed or collapse during sleep.

Some of the causes of sleep apnea are also associated with other life-threatening conditions. A proper diagnosis is important, because if the individual goes without treatment he or she will have an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeat, and other forms of heart disease. In addition to the physical risks of this sleep disorder, relationships with families, friends and employers may continue to suffer. Productivity at work will go down because the individual is so abnormally sleepy, and it can become dangerous to work with heavy equipment or drive an automobile.

There are a number of ways that obstructive sleep apnea can be treated, including the use of a C-PAP (continous positive airway pressure) machine. This machine has a nose mask that is worn during sleep. The C-PAP machine keeps air blowing into the nose, which will keep the airway open. If obesity is a causitive factor in sleep apnea, as it often is, the patient will be advised to slim down. Weight loss is almost always accompanied by a complete cessation of sleep apnea symptoms, and for this reason some obese OSA patients are opting for gastric bypass surgery.

Because sleep apnea may be caused by a variety of factors, and because the symptoms could also be caused by sleep disorders other then OSA, a diagnosis by a qualified professional is needed before treatment can begin. Your doctor will usually prescribe a sleep test, which is done by a specialized clinic. This test is usually covered by medical insurance, but it is always a good idea to call your insurance carrier to see if they require you to visit a clinic that is contracted with them. The results of the sleep test will tell your doctor if any form or respiratory equipment is required, or if surgery is indicated. Experimental treatments, such as the Radio Frequency Procedure developed by Stanford University, will probably not be covered by your insurance.

Do you snore, or do you sleep with someone who snores so loudly that you can’t get any sleep? It’s time to see a doctor to find out if sleep apnea is to blame.

Sleep Disorder Alliance – Sleep Apnea Device

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Cures For Sleep Apnea
Dated: 18 Nov 2009
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Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is characterized by episodes of cessation of breathing. It can occur as often as several hundred times in a night with each episode probably lasting up to ten seconds, and is manifested through the following symptoms: loud snoring, choking spells, excessive daytime sleepiness, frequent visits to the bathroom, severe mood swings, obesity, low sex drive, dry mouth and sore throat in the morning, lack of concentration and forgetfulness, morning headaches, and a general lack of energy or malaise. Sleep apnea may be detrimental to one’s health, thus, it should be treated. One way of treating this condition is through the use of a sleep apnea device.Click Here For Sleep Disorder Alliance Free Trial Now!Fortunately, there are more sleep apnea devices available now than ever before. Sleep apnea devices are designed to assist the person to breathe properly and consequently ensure a good night’s sleep.Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices deliver oxygen at low pressure via a nasal cannula or a face mask, thus, providing a safe, effective, and immediate relief. However, the side effects of CPAP devices include dry skin and mouth, headaches, and skin breakdowns. Dental appliances prevent the person’s tongue from falling back into the throat and blocking the airways. The side effects of dental devices are soreness, build-up of saliva, and alterations in the jaw, teeth, or mouth. Jaw adjustment devices like the mandibular advancement device (MAD) or the mandibular advancement splint (MAS) looks similar to the sports mouth guards that athletes wear for protection. Oxygen therapy may also be administered again via a nasal cannula or face mask.Not all sleep apnea devices work for all sufferers of this condition. Thus, trial-and-error should be done until the most appropriate device is determined.

7 Habits of Highly Successful Sleep Apnea Patients

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Categorized Under: Cures For Sleep Apnea
Dated: 17 Nov 2009
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Some patients with sleep apnea do remarkably well, despite all the hurdles and obstacles that arise. Then there are others that procrastinate, or refuse to take any action at all. I’ve noticed 7 commonalities amongst the ones that do succeed in the end:

1. They take responsibility for their own health, and not rely on doctors alone. They surround themselves with a team of medical professionals, constantly reading and learning, asking questions, and staying up to date on the latest in new sleep apnea treatments and research. They are willing to make major changes their lives, daily habits and diets to achieve set goals.

There are some people who are unwilling to make any changes, such as with eating late or going out 2-3 times per week and drinking alcohol. These are the same type of people who say they don’t have time to read an important book to help them along. These are the people who want only a quick fix. They are unwilling to commit to a life change.

2. They are willing to pay extra. Unfortunately, insurance will typically cover only the bare essentials for sleep apnea treatment. Most durable medical goods vendors will give a basic model, and typically won’t cover any additional add-ons or extras or a more full-featured CPAP machine. Depending solely on insurance to cover for everything will lessen your chances for achieving success. Sometimes, you have to pay for a new mask, or a dental device. Yes, you should maximize your insurance benefits, but you should also not hesitate to go outside of medical insurance to invest in your health.

Successful people also are willing to invest in gym memberships, yoga classes, books and information products that complement standard sleep apnea treatments.

3. They take action. The people that succeed typically have tried multiple different options and have failed more often than once. But because they are persistent and take massive action, eventually, they find something that works for them.

There are many patients research everything but can’t make up their mind. This is called paralysis by analysis.

4. They do everything possible to breathe well through the nose. Being able to breathe well through the nose, although not a cure for sleep apnea, helps every other form of treatment option. Whether it’s with CPAP, dental devices or surgery, not being able to breathe well through your nose will ultimately diminish the quality of your results. Through trial and error or by working with your doctor, you can usually figure out what’s causing your stuffy nose, and take care of it in one way or another.

Many successful CPAP patients get into the habit of irrigating their noses with nasal saline. There are various ways of getting saline into your nose, so you’ll have to try different options to see which one you like.

5. They set aside time for regular exercise or relaxation. Paradoxically, exercise is a great form of relaxation. When you take the time to exercise, you have to focus on your exercise activities, which forces you not to stress about work, life and other distracting things. Not to mention the cardiovascular benefits. The more advanced people discover that active forms of relaxation or meditation helps to calm the overstimulated stress part of the nervous system, or the sympathetic nervous system. They routinely practice yoga, meditation, tai chi, which are all disciplines where proper breathing techniques are stressed.

6. They join a community of other sleep apnea patients. There’s a saying in business, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” Surrounding yourself with other successful people’s perspectives will help you to grow, learn. There are live groups such as AWAKE, or various internet forums and support groups.

7. They accept sleep apnea rather than fight it. At a certain point, all these habits will be a regular part of your life. If you’re constantly resisting it and fighting it, always looking for a “cure,” you’re in for a long and frustrating battle. Unless you undergo a tracheotomy, you’ll never be cured. Your ultimate goal should be to reach a point where you’re able to function normally, gain satisfaction from the work that you do, and ultimately, to be able to enjoy life.

Methods Used to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea
Dated: 13 Nov 2009
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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can be treated in numerous ways. What needs to be looked at is the patient’s medical history, the disorder’s severity, and crucially, the exact cause of the airway blockage.

Kids that have OSA do so typically due to chronically enlarged adenoids and tonsils. Tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies are successful at diminishing OSA substantially. The difficulty level associated with operations to reduce OSA in children can be very high, as for example with cases of reduced growth of the body alongside poor development of the right side of the heart. Fortunately, when OSA-associated high exhalation pressures are lowered complications to the cardiovascular system tend to reverse of their own accord. Careful precautionary practices are adhered to during the important postoperative period in children.

OSA treatment in adults who have poor oropharyngeal airways in combination with a large upper body frame are open to a variety of treatments. Unfortunately, this most common form of OSA tends not to have particular treatment methods that habitually work, each case needs specific evaluation over the best course of action.

Such methods for relieving obstructions consist of changes to the sufferer’s lifestyle, e.g. reducing alcoholic intake, avoiding medications that may relax the central nervous system (CNS) (e.g. sedatives, muscle relaxants), stopping smoking and reducing weight. Specially designed devices, such as pillows, that stop the sufferer from sleeping on their back can be effective in reducing OSA.

Oral appliances are sometimes used, these keep the patients airways open whilst they are asleep. Mandibular advancement splints (MAS) are sometimes advised to lessen mild to moderate OSA. MAS consists of a mouth guard, similar to that used with impact sports to protect the teeth, which holds the lower jaw a little more down and forward from its usual relaxed position. When in use the users tongue is moved farther from the back of the airways, possibly far enough so that some OSA sufferers are able to gain improved breathing.

When such methods fail to make enough of a beneficial impression GP’s will often suggest the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

CPAP comes in the form of a mask attached to the face which has a tube running from an air pump to the sufferer’s mouth and/ or nose, forcing controlled bursts of air through the obstructed air passageways and into the lungs. CPAP uses a constant air pressure found by performing an overnight test or ‘titration’ on the sufferer. Recent models of CPAP contraptions are able to reduce the exhalation pressure for improved performance and patient comfort.

Variable positive airway pressure (VPAP), known also as bilevel or BiPAP, monitors the patients breathing with an electronic circuit. Two different pressures are adopted here, inhalation has a higher pressure than exhalation. This system is more expensive than CPAP and is often used on people that have other respiratory problems or who find sleeping with higher exhaling pressures from CPAP difficult.

Automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) uses sensors that measure air pressure in conjunction with a computer that monitors the patient’s performance with breathing. Pressures exerted by the air pump are constantly adjusted, i.e. heightened when the user is finding breathing difficult, lowered when pressures are considered higher than necessary.

Various surgical ways of widening airways, or removing or tightening tissues in that area are used, the success rate tends to be low with these practices. In some cases patients adopt a combination of such therapies to reduce their OSA. Surgery is typically a last resort, used when none of the above, as well as other more experimental OSA reduction methods (e.g. pharmaceuticals like methylxanthine theophylline and modafinil, and neurostimulation e.g. pacemaker stimulation), have been deemed effective.

Surgery Methods for Reducing Sleep Apnea from Nasal Obstructions

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea
Dated: 13 Nov 2009
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Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a very serious problem that can severely impede your wellbeing. OSAS can be defined as a breathing disorder in which the sufferer actually stops breathing completely for 10 seconds or more (termed an apnea) for up to five times per hour spent asleep. To ensure that the body gets the oxygen it requires the person asleep is awakened enough to enable the re-commencement of his/ her breathing, after which sleep resumes. Being deprived of deep sleep life-long cardiovascular stress coupled with daily exhaustion has a large negative effect on the sufferers health.

OSAS can be due to an obstruction of a persons airways. When asleep peoples muscles relax, some to the point where, due to a particular set of physical characteristics, an airway is sufficiently reduced in size to allow habitual blocking. One of the commonest causes can be a deviated septum.

The septum is the wall of flesh and bone that separates each nostrils chamber. Whether due to an accident or genetic defect/ similar this part of the body can be altered with modern surgical techniques, if other techniques fail (e.g. nasal strips), to alleviate the nostril blockages. Narrowings of the nasal cavity potentially threaten the draining of the mucus from the sinuses. Infections can result from drastic build-up of waste matter in the nasal cavity, further restricting airflow. Allergic rhinitis, e.g. hay fever, can also obstruct the nasal air passages through tissue swellings.

Electrosurgical probes or lasers can be used by trained surgeons to literally burn enlarged areas of obstructing skin within the nose away, typically an office procedure. This surgery is usually directed at the surface tissue or underlying tissue (sub-mucosa). Recovery of the nose tissue when the surface was operated on tends to take 3 or more weeks. If sub-mucosal surgery was adopted the recovery is generally shorter, at around 10 days maximum.

The cartilage or bone in the nose can be broken and left to set in its new and usually more natural position. If the source of the obstruction was the thickening of nose tissue the moved tissue/ bone often returns to its original position unfortunately.

Surgical scissors or the use of a laser can remove just the flesh around the septum (turbinate excision), or the bone as well (turbinate resection). After this type of surgery a gauze soaked with antibiotics is placed in the nostrils about the surgery area for several days to prevent infection.

Of the potential complications that can occur with surgery such as this, over bleeding may result if the nose is not packed with enough sterile absorptive material. This is generally a potential problem with turbinate resections. Resections of the turbinate can also possibly end with the tissues being irreversibly dried out through too many of the blood supplying vessels having been damaged. General healing of the nose, often involving the accumulation of dried blood blocking the airways, can take longer than expected e.g. 4-6 weeks.