Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common chronic disorder characterized by repeated episodes of upper airway obstruction during sleep. It’s defined as the cessation of breathing for at least 10-seconds. What happens during the course of the night is the person will experience anywhere from 30 to 300 pauses lasting approximately 10 seconds. The patients provider may order a sleep study either at home or at a sleep lab to see how many times per night breathing stops.
Causes And Concerns
There are many causes of sleep apnea, and most are treatable as the pauses in breathing are caused by the airway collapse and narrowing. This makes the heart have to work harder because the pauses decrease the amount of oxygen in the blood. If the obstructive sleep apnea continues without treatment, it puts you at a higher risk for developing several health problems including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It results in low levels of oxygen in the blood and causes brief awakenings throughout the night.
Other Causes Of Sleep Apnea Include:
- Sinus infection
- Allergies
- Deviated septum
- Thick throat tissue
- Too much soft tissue in the neck
- Tonsils and adenoids (primarily children)
- Cysts
- Tumors
Solutions And Options
Getting treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is important because, if left untreated, it can lead to increased risk of stroke, heart attack, diabetes, memory loss, automobile accidents and other serious diseases. There are several current options for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The goal of sleep apnea treatment is simple… Keep your airway open so that your breathing is not interrupted when you sleep. Many people need treatment and the first and most common treatment for sleep apnea is CPAP, which stands for continuous positive airway pressure. CPAP uses a mask and hose to blow pressurized air into your airway. The force of the air keeps your airway from closing. CPAP works for a lot of people. But others just struggle to get consistent benefit. Those who struggle with positive airway pressure devices (CPAP and BiPAP) may consider other treatments such as oral appliances, surgeries such as UPPP (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) or MMA (maxillomandibular advancement) or Upper Airway Stimulation ( UAS), a hybrid therapy that is surgically placed but adjustable like CPAP. Components of Implanted System Controlled by Patient Remote Inspire® Upper Airway Stimulation is a Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved treatment that includes an implanted system, and a patient remote. Inspire is indicated for second-line treatment of moderate to severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea in adult patients. The system delivers mild stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve which controls the movement of the tongue and other key airway muscles. By stimulating these muscles, the airway remains open during sleep.
Inspire is inserted under the skin in an outpatient procedure that takes two to three hours. Most patients go home the same day. The procedure consists of 2 incisions: 1 in the upper right chest where a small device is placed; and 1 just under your chin where the hypoglossal nerve is located. Benefits Inspire therapy has been demonstrated to significantly reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Proper treatment may lead to an increase in the ability to perform daily tasks and a decrease in risks associated with untreated OSA : accidents (e.g., motor vehicle accidents),hypertension, stroke, diabetes, vascular disease, heart failure, and early mortality.
Snoring and Sleep apnea do not have to be an issues in your life. There are many solutions and options to help you stop snoring. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms and signs associated with snoring, consider an evaluation with one of our competent nose and mouth specialists.