Surgical Sleep Apnea Treatments

In cases where all non-surgical sleep apnea treatments fail or if the sleep apnea is severe, surgical sleep apnea treatments may be necessary. The goal of surgery for sleep apnea is to remove excess tissue from your nose or throat that may be vibrating and causing you to snore, or that may be blocking your upper air passages and causing sleep apnea. Surgical sleep apnea treatment options may include:

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is a procedure that removes the tonsils, uvula and part of your soft palate, thereby increasing the width of the airway at the throat opening. This surgery may be successful in stopping throat structures from vibrating and causing snoring. However, it may be less successful in treating sleep apnea because tissue farther down your throat may still block your air passage. Therefore this surgery is only effective for some people with sleep apnea.
Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP): It is a laser device which is used to remove the uvula and part of the soft palate This surgery can stop snoring but is probably not helpful in sleep apnea treatment. Since this surgery stops the main symptom of sleep apnea, which is snoring it, is important to have a sleep study first.
Mandibular maxillary advancement: This is a procedure that corrects throat obstructions or facial abnormalities that contribute to sleep apnea. The upper and lower part of your jaw is moved forward from the remainder of your face bones, which enlarges the space behind the tongue and soft palate, making obstruction less likely. It may be combined with another procedure to improve the likelihood of success and requires the cooperation of an oral surgeon and an orthodontist. Again, not all people who are suffering with sleep apnea will require this type of corrective surgery.
Nasal surgery: Nasal surgery is a procedure that removes polyps or corrects nasal obstructions such as a deviated septum, a crooked partition between your nostrils, which may play a role in sleep apnea. Thus helping in surgical sleep apnea treatment. There are two types of Nasal surgeries, Nasal septoplasty and Nasal polypectomy. Nasal septoplasty repairs and straightens the bone and tissues that separate the two passages in the nose. You may have this surgery if a deformity in your nose affects your breathing. Nasal polypectomy removes soft, round growths called polyps that can project into the nasal passages and block airflow.
Implants: This is a newly available procedure that places three small polyester inserts in the patient's soft palate, causing the palate to stiffen and thereby helping to prevent or lessen blockages of the airway.
Somnoplasty: It is a surgical procedure that uses radio frequency energy to reduce the soft tissue in the upper airway thus helping in surgical sleep apnea treatment.
Tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy: This procedure removes the tonsils or the adenoids if you have enlarged tonsils and adenoids that are blocking your airway during sleep. This is often the first treatment option for children because enlarged tonsils and adenoids are usually the cause of their sleep apnea.
Tracheostomy: If all other sleep apnea treatments have failed and you have severe, life-threatening sleep apnea this form of surgery is done. A tracheostomy is a procedure that will cut a very small hole in the neck, and will insert a metal or plastic tube so you can breath well. The valve is closed during the day so you will breath normally but at night, opening the valve and the tube allows you to breath well, and sleep well taking the stress off your heart.

Effects of Sleep Apnea

The consequences or effects of sleep apnea range from annoying to life threatening. The main effects of sleep apnea are

Non-Surgical Sleep Apnea Treatments

There are many treatments available for sleep apnea sufferers, which include both surgical and non-surgical sleep apnea treatments. But you should always consult your doctor to determine which sleep apnea treatment is best for you.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea happens when enough air cannot move into your lungs while you are sleeping. When you are awake, and normally during sleep, your throat muscles keep your throat open and air flows into your lungs. Here we are going to see some common symptoms of sleep apnea. Common symptoms of sleep apnea include

What is the Relation Between Sleep Apnea and Acid Reflux?

Is there any relation between sleep apnea and acid reflux? Yes, it’s definite that sleep apnea and acid reflux are linked together. Sleep apnea and acid reflux often go hand in hand.

Signs and Symptoms of Thyroid Problems

Symptoms of thyroid problems occur when the thyroid gland, which regulates the speed of the body's metabolism doesn’t operate properly. That means it does not convert the food that we eat into energy.

Sleep Apnea and Snoring

Though both Sleep Apnea and Snoring fall into the category of sleep-disordered breathing they are not the same thing. Snoring is not sleep apnea, and sleep apnea is not snoring.

Home Treatment for Sleep Apnea

Medications are generally not effective in the treatment of sleep apnea. Therefore more and more people are attracted towards the home treatment for sleep apnea. If you have mild sleep apnea you can treat it at home. Home treatment for sleep apnea includes:

Essential Oils used for Insomnia and Sleep Apnea

Essential oils are used for Insomnia and Sleep Apnea due to their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and calming effects, which help in inducing sleep. If you are able to concentrate on the smell of the oils, it will help you to Relax, breathe deep, and allow yourself to drift off into a calmer world of peaceful aroma. This is another reason why essential oils are used for Insomnia and Sleep Apnea.

7 Tips On Using Ayurveda For A Sounder Sleep

With the growing number of individuals suffering from chronic sleep disorders, it has come to the attention of health practitioners to address this problem. After all, lack of quality sleep could impact one's health immensely. Ayurveda is considered as one of the natural methods of improving quality of sleep to regain one's health and vitality.

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