Sleep Apnea?!


Question: I have a moderate to severe case of sleep apnea. Each night I sleep with a CPAP (continous positive airways pressure) machine. It works great, but is there an alternative because I'm getting sick of wearing this thing. Is there a surgery perhaps??


Answers: I have a moderate to severe case of sleep apnea. Each night I sleep with a CPAP (continous positive airways pressure) machine. It works great, but is there an alternative because I'm getting sick of wearing this thing. Is there a surgery perhaps??

Maybe....surgery only works if there is an identifiable problem to be fixed. If the whole of your upper airway is too relaxed during sleep then fixing one thing won't help you. An ENT surgeon may want to look inside your nose and throat while you have a short anaesthetic to se what is happening there.

There is a very strong correlation between sleep apnoea and having a large neck (shirt collar >17"). In the end, major weight loss may be the simplest, safest, and most effective remedy. I'm working on it myself!

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR ADULTS WITH OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA


There are different treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Which option is right for you depend upon the severity of your sleep apnea (which is determined from a sleep study), the physical structure of your upper airway, and other aspects of your medical history. The various options are listed below so that you can discuss them with your doctor. Only your doctor or sleep specialist can tell you which treatment option is best for you.


Positional therapy
Weight loss:
Avoiding alcohol and other CNS depressants
Oral appliances

Surgery: The intention of surgery is to create a more open airway so obstructions are less likely to occur. There are several different surgical procedures with different effectiveness rates, and surgery can also sometimes worsen the apnea. In addition, there are also several non-surgical procedures that can remove excess or obstructive tissue or harden the soft palate by inserting three small polyester rods. For more about this treatment option, see the ASAA publication "Considering Surgery for OSA?"

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP):

There is but you need to discuss it with your physician and research as much as possible.





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