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Sleep Apnea Surgery

One of the common tendencies that most of us have when faced with an impending surgery is to discuss its efficacy with family and friends. Obviously we get reports that are more subjective than objective, depending on the individual experiences of people we are talking to. Perhaps a more prudent decision to get more objective and authentic information about the efficacy or success rate about a surgical procedure is to check out the excerpts of clinical trials that many authority sites regularly publish online.

For example if you have been advised somnoplasty surgery, and want to get more information about somnoplasty effectiveness, there are some excellent sites that can enlighten you about what to expect from the procedure. Accessing such information would keep you more prepared before you actually agree to get the surgery done.

However, to understand the implications of somnoplasty effectiveness, a good idea is to understand the underlying principle of somnoplasty surgery. First of all, somnoplasty is one of the least invasive and minimally complicated surgeries for the treatment of habitual snoring, nasal congestions and sleep apnea. The surgery that takes all of 45 minutes or so, is performed by a qualified ENT surgeon in the outpatient clinic with the help of local anesthesia.

While this is only skeletal information about the procedure, there is much to know and understand about this type of surgery that was approved by FDA in 1997 for treating habitual snoring. Its mode of action aims to achieve two primary objectives: to clear the air passage of any obstruction by stiffening and reducing the volume of relevant tissues that may be located in the soft palate, uvula, nose, back of tongue or the throat.

The surgery is done using a Somnus device, also referred to as the electrode that has been preheated by using radiofrequency thermal power. This electrode pierces the relevant obstructing tissues in order to scar them. The scarred tissues get reabsorbed by the body in the next 4 to 6 weeks. The procedure successfully stiffens the relevant tissues so that they do not collapse while in a relaxed state and its volume is also reduced by 10 to 15% so that the air passage is rendered clear of any blockage.

With regard to somnoplasty effectiveness, the problem that most of us face is that we are unable to interpret the results as published in the clinical trial reports. However, with a bit of help in interpretation of the results, we get to know what can be expected from the surgery. For example, the original trial to establish the efficacy of the surgery, involved 13 treatment sessions of somnoplasty, 85.3% of which proved to be successful after 2 treatments with mean snoring index reducing by 60.6% and Mean Epworth Sleepiness Score reducing by 37.5%.

When thinking about somnoplasty effectiveness, you have to keep in mind that the effectiveness of the procedure may not be apparent soon after the surgery. It will not be before 15 days that the first signs of improvement show up. Of course, from then onwards, the improvements continue for several months.

***

Marc MacDonald is an independent health researcher who has spent considerable time and effort in studying and collating information about sleeping problems and sleep apnea treatments.

Marc's interest on sleep-related issues actually began with his wife's sleep apnea disorder. Fastforward to a few years, and he's now properly immersed with extensive sleep research and studies. He has written innumerable research reports on particular subjects like somnoplasty effectiveness, sleep apnea and weight loss, deviated nasal septum surgery, snoring remedies, good night sleep techniques, and anxiety and panic attacks.

If you are looking for effective and practical cures for snoring, as well as tips on how to get a better sleep, feel free to read the articles that has Marc has shared with the online public. His aim is to share his knowledge and spread the gift of a good and healing sleep.

To learn more about this article's main topic, please visit his website at http://www.somnoplasty.org/.

Somnoplasty Effectiveness - Know About it Before Saying 'Yes' to Surgery

Go through How Successful is Surgery For Children With Sleep Apnea? additional

Sleep Apnea Surgery

For many years the first line of defense for children with sleep apnea and other forms of sleep-disordered breathing has been to remove both their tonsils and adenoids in a procedure known as an adenoidtonsilectomy and follow-up studies normally carried out about six weeks and three months after surgery generally show positive results. However, it has now been suggested that in many cases, if follow-up studies were again conducted one year after surgery, the results would be very different.

Initial studies indicate that two groups of children in particular are showing a relapse or worsening of their original condition a year out from an adenoidtonsilectomy and one of these groups is children who have gained weight rapidly during the period. However, some poor outcomes have also been reported in children who do not gain weight rapidly and this is leading to a conclusion that sleep-disordered breathing may in fact be a chronic condition.

Data at this point is somewhat limited (the study upon which this conclusion is based involved only 40 children) and certainly more studies will need to be carried out before any firm conclusions can be drawn. Nevertheless, the implication at this stage is that the traditional surgical route for children with sleep apnea perhaps needs to be re-thought.

Well, before you start rushing out and looking for alternatives perhaps we should look a little more closely at just what has been found here.

In the vast majority of cases the children whose condition worsened a year out from surgery had also gained weight very rapidly during this period of time and, in fact, were described almost in passing as being 'obese'. So, is the problem perhaps not the result of an ineffective form of treatment but simply of obesity, which we already know is a major contributory factor in cases of sleep-disordered breathing?

Obesity is now at epidemic proportions but has only recently started spreading like wildfire through our children and is not only leading to increased cases of sleep apnea, but is also being seen in an increasing number of children with diabetes, heart conditions and various other disorders.

We live in an age when we are rightly thankful for advances in medicine but the race to come up with the latest medical breakthrough also often leads to the publication of studies and the expression of opinions without adequate evidence to back up their conclusions. This may well be the case here and so perhaps a cautious approach should be advised until we have more evidence to support some firm conclusions.

Help-Me-To-Sleep.com provides information on a wide range of sleep disorders including sleep apnea and associated topics such as the pre-hospital uses of cpap

How Successful is Surgery For Children With Sleep Apnea?

Go through Sleep Apnea Treatments and Their Benefits a lot more

Sleep apnea is a medical condition which is characterised by poor breathing or pauses in breathing while sleeping. The condition affects children and adults. The pauses can occur several times during the night, and can last from just a few seconds to a couple of minutes. People who suffer from this condition are sometimes unaware that they have it because the signs and symptoms can often be associated with other things. Symptoms generally include sleepiness during the daytime, fatigue, restless sleep, and poor vision. If you believe that you might have sleep apnea, it is advisable that you talk to your doctor in order to be diagnosed. Sometimes people who experience the symptoms described above are misdiagnosed, so you have to bring up the condition called sleep apnea with your doctor when you discuss your symptoms. Even if you do not have this problem, it is a good idea to have it ruled out as a possible cause for your symptoms.

There are two methods that are used to diagnose sleep apnea. These are a sleep study which is called polysomnogram, and then there is the home diagnostic test called Oximetry. Both tests are performed overnight. If you have been diagnosed as having the condition it is important that you get the correct treatment, otherwise it could lead to further health problems in future, which could be more serious. The most common cause of sleep apnea is when there is an obstruction to the airways. The obstruction is caused by the soft muscle tissue of the throat collapsing when relaxed. In cases of this type of sleep apnea one of the best treatment options is to use a face mask when sleeping, thereby forcing the airways to remain open. This treatment option is called 'continuous positive airway pressure'. This is usually the best treatment option for people who have the condition because they are obese or because they are older in age.

This treatment will include a personally fitted mask. The pressure set will be prespecified by your doctor. Sometimes it will include a humidifier. This treatment option is often prescribed for people with mild to severe sleep apnea. However, some people can not tolerate sleeping with a mask. In this instance they can opt to have surgery to have some of the obstructive tissue removed. Another treatment option is to use a sleep aid that positions the body in a certain way so as to enable the person to sleep in a manner that does not obstruct their breathing. These include wedges and nasal pillows. There are also dental devices that are used to reposition the lower jaw. Some people suffer from this condition because they are smokers. In this case the best treatment is simply to quit smoking. For obese people the best option is simply to lose weight. And in mild cases the patient only has to elevate their upper body by 30 degrees when sleeping.

It is not necessary to continue suffering from sleep apnea. With treatment sufferers will experience less daytime sleepiness, fatigue, memory loss and poor attention spans. It can also help to alleviate many other chronic health problems including heartburn, heart failure, depression and erectile dysfunction, which are usually secondary results of sleep apnea. It also helps to prevent things such as car accidents that can occur due to poor concentration and exhaustion. Recent studies have also shown that sleep apnea treatments can also assist with different things such as blood pressure, thereby eliminating the need to take medication for blood pressure. It is very important to seek treatment because if not the risk of sudden death is greatly increased.

Sleep Apnea Surgery

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Sleep Apnea Treatments and Their Benefits

Sleep Apnea Surgery

Understand Sleep Apnea Pillow additional

Sleep Apnea Pillow

Sleep Apnea Surgery

Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes the sufferer to stop breathing for periods while they sleep. There are three kinds of sleep apnea currently: obstructive, central and mixed. The common is obstructive where the throat muscles become over relaxed which leads to the collapse of the windpipe that blocks the airway. Sleep apnea can be treated by lifestyle changes or with surgery for the more extreme cases. A common, non-surgical option is sleep apnea pillow.

Sleep apnea pillows are specially designed to help snoring, the most noticeable sign of the apnea. The pillows work by giving the neck support and keeping sufferers from being able to completely roll to their backs, the position that apnea is worse in. They lengthen the neck and cradle the head which stops the tongue from being able to block the airway. Sleep apnea pillows also help by easing the pressure place on the arms and shoulders while the sufferer sleeps.

There are many different companies that make this special pillows. There is only one that has FDA approval, the SONA sleep apnea pillow. This pillow consist of two triangular shaped layers that make it look like a boomerang with padding. It angular design is what makes it unique. It forces the user to stay on their side. The two surfaces that are inclined make the main sleeping area while the center is a lower flat surface.

The lower parts of the triangle have arm slings for training. The user lies on his side with their arm extended under the pillow. The arm needs to be kept extended during sleeping with the head staying on the same side as the arm. The training slings can be used at first to ensure that you stay in this position by putting your arm in the space in the middle of the pillow and sling. For more comfort you may want to add to the apnea pillow you may want to use a body pillow to keep you in the correct position.

When used like this it will keep the jaw pulled forward and keep the tongue from falling back and blocking the air way. Some people can not use these types of pillows. When people have severe sleep apnea simply using the pillow of any kind will not work. Especially people who are extremely obese will not get as much relief as thinner people. Apnea pillows do need fluffed on occasion and should be replaced every year for maximum benefit.

Hassan Ouda is a sublime devoted author He writes articles on several subjects including publishing ebook. You can read more of Hassan's articles at Pillow Covers [http://www.mypillowssite.com] located at

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Examine Why Obstructive Sleep Apnea Could Prove to be Fatal extra

Snoring becomes a serious problem when it causes you to stop breathing.. This is known as sleep apnea and can cause the sufferer to wake up at frequent intervals during the night.

The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea. During snoring the airways become narrower as the soft tissue at the back of the throat including the tonsils, uvula and soft palate relax and move around, however during sleep apnea the airways become so narrow that they close up completely stopping the flow of oxygen into the body. This can last for several seconds and in some cases up to a minute, but reflex actions cause the sufferer to wake up and start breathing again.

These interruptions to sleep can happen over several hundred times a night. The heart has to work much harder and could lead to heart failure if not treated. Sleep apnea can also lead to poor concentration during the day and tiredness which can affect your performance at work as well as your relationships You should visit your doctor as soon as possible to discuss methods of treatment if you suffer from sleep apnea. Many treatments for obstructive sleep apnea don't involve surgery and may require you to change your diet or exercise to lose weight.

You may be advised to use a nasal spray or wear a dental appliance. There is a machine called a CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure which requires you to wear a face mask that continually delivers constant air pressure to keep the airways open. Sometimes a surgical procedure called LAUP is used to remove excess tissue from the throat using a laser. It takes about half an hour and is done using a local anesthetic. It may though require more than one session if the problem is very severe.

Snoring can be disruptive not only to the sufferer but also their partner and sleep apnea certainly requires urgent attention as it could prove fatal if left untreated.

Sleep Apnea Surgery

Don't put up with snoring any longer, find useful tips and advice on how to stop your snoring problem at http://www.squidoo.com/snoring-treatments

Why Obstructive Sleep Apnea Could Prove to be Fatal

Read through Sleep Apnea - The 5 W's of Dental Sleep Medicine additional

Sleep Apnea

What is Dental Sleep Medicine? Dental Sleep Medicine refers to the branch of dentistry devoted to the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea with an oral appliance similar to a retainer. When a patient is diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, they are usually prescribed a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine which functions like a reverse vacuum cleaner to keep the airway open. It consists of a mask fitted over the mouth and nose which is attached to a compressor-like machine via a hose through which room air is forced. Compliance is shown to be very low due to common complaints of the machine being too noisy, the mask irritating the face, claustrophobia due to wearing the mask, inconvenience of being tethered to a machine and inability to sleep in all positions. In many cases, oral appliances are an effective alternative to CPAP therapy for sleep apnea.

Why do airway testing? A specially trained dentist utilizes airway testing with a Pharyngometer and Rhinometer to verify airway size and collapsibility as well as to predict success with an oral appliance. This technology utilizes sound waves in acoustic reflection much like a fish-finding device. The Pharyngometer measures the cross-sectional airway in the throat to determine where there is an obstruction and whether movement of the lower jaw with an oral appliance will be effective in clearing that obstruction. The Rhinometer measures the nasal airway and determines whether there is blockage in the nose. This is critical because oral appliances are unable to open the nasal airway and should not be used if the obstruction exists in the nasal passages only. Airway testing with the Pharyngometer/Rhinometer is crucial for predicting before treatment even begins whether the oral appliance will work or not.

When can we treat with Oral Appliances? Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when the tongue falls back into the throat and blocks the airway. Partial obstruction typically causes snoring and complete obstruction causes a cessation of breathing in addition to snoring. Oral appliances are designed to bring the lower jaw forward and thereby bring the tongue forward to open the airway. Oral Appliances were approved by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine as a first line of therapy for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea. Patients with severe sleep apnea who cannot or will not wear a CPAP machine can also benefit from oral appliances but they are not as effective as CPAP therapy. It is still better than no treatment at all.

Where is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Diagnosed? Only a physician can make a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea and classify its severity. For many years, diagnosis had to be made from an overnight sleep study, Polysomnography or PSG for short. This study is conducted in a hospital or sleep laboratory. Just recently, unattended home sleep studies such as the Watch-Pat 100 are available to physicians and dentists and approved by the FDA for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea. Diagnosis still must be made by a physician but the advantages of being able to conduct the study in the patient's own bedroom can often provide a familiarity which lends itself to increased patient comfort and decreased anxiety. Dentists treating sleep apnea can also use the Watch-PAT 100 to verify the effectiveness of an oral appliance. No patient should be given an oral appliance without the follow-up of an unattended sleep study or repeat PSG.

Who is practicing Dental Sleep Medicine? This field requires a commitment to education and a commitment to technology. Most dental school curriculua do not offer any training in this arena. Numerous books have been written on this subject and many continuing education courses are offered in this area. Utilization of airway equipment and follow-up testing are imperative for the dentist to treat this properly. Guessing at severity of sleep disorder, jaw-position or effectiveness of oral appliances can be at the very least frustrating and potentially life-threatening.

Dr. Dawne Slabach is a General Dentist, Fellow of the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, with a focus on the treatment of Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea as well as TMJ Disorders (TMD). For more information, please visit http://www.sleepapneacolumbus.com

Sleep Apnea - The 5 W's of Dental Sleep Medicine

Sleep Apnea

Examine Sleep Apnea Machines extra

Sleep Apnea Machines

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea, (apnea from the Greek for "without breath") is a potentially life threatening sleep disorder characterized by frequent pauses in breath during sleep. Several treatments exist, including machines that assist with keeping the airway open. These sleep apnea machines consist of a small medical pump and a tube connected to a mask, which is worn over the mouth, over the nose, or both. The sleep apnea machines pump a controlled amount of pressurized air into the airway, holding open the relaxed muscles, much like air inflates a balloon.

Sleep apnea machines are available only through a physician's description, and must have Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. The patient's physician determines, the amount of pressurized air delivered, based on the type and the severity of the patient's sleep apnea.

Several types of sleep apnea machines are available. The most common of sleep apnea machines is CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure. A CPAP is usually about the size of a shoebox, sometimes smaller. The machine connects to the facemask via a flexible tube and works by pushing air through the tube at a high enough pressure to prevent episodes of sleep apnea.

Another type of sleep apnea machines is VPAP, or variable positive airway pressure. Also known as bi-level or BiPAP, this machine uses an electronic circuit to monitor the patient's breathing, to provide two different pressures. A higher pressure is used for inhalation, while a lower one flows for exhalation. VPAP or BiPAP is more expensive than CPAP and is sometimes used for patients who have other respiratory problems, and/or who have difficulty breathing out against pressure.

A third option is APAP, or automatic positive airway pressure. Recently approved by the FDA, this sleep apnea machine incorporates pressure sensors and a computer, which continuously monitors the patient's breathing. APAP can then automatically adjust the pressure as the patients breathing patterns shift. Of the types listed, APAP is the most sophisticated, and may be the most expensive.

Features available on sleep apnea machines include ramps, which allow the patient to begin the night's sleep at a lower pressure and "ramp" it up as sleep deepens. Sleep apnea machines also come with a heated humidifier. Warm, moist air, along with preventing sleep apnea events, can also ease breathing and the side effects of dry mouth and sore throat upon waking. Some sleep apnea machines have the capability to monitor how often the patient uses the CPAP. Others can also record if the patient experienced any sleep apnea events while using the sleep apnea machine. The patient's physician can download this data to verify the effectiveness of treatment.

Adding a compliance motor to sleep apnea machines provides objective verification that the patient is obtaining sufficient amounts of restful sleep. For sleep apnea machines with this feature, the patient may have to take the machine into the sleep center to download data, or may send the data via a telephone modem, supplied with the machine, that does not require Internet access.

Do you suffer from sleep apnea? Our site focuses on sleep apnea treatments and symptoms for sufferers of sleep apnea. by T. D. Houser

Read through Understanding Obstructive Sleep Apnea extra

Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a relatively common medical condition which affects between
one to five per cent of the population. OSA is more common in men than women and is found with greater frequency in people who are overweight and/or aging. This condition is best described as breathing that starts and stops during sleep. Periods of "no breathing" activity are called apneas. Partial obstructions to breathing are called hypopneas. These stoppages or obstructions take place when muscles in the back of the throat relax during sleep. This causes the airway to narrow or close. As many as five of these episodes per hour of sleep are considered normal. When more than five episodes occur per hour of sleep, a diagnosis of sleep apnea is usually made. Patients with severe OSA have more
than one apnea or hypopnea every minute they are asleep. While these pauses in breathing usually last between 20 and 30 seconds, they occasionally will last up to one minute. When breathing stops, the
level of oxygen in the bloodstream falls, sometimes to dangerously low levels. The brain senses this
decrease in oxygen and briefly rouses the person from sleep. At this point, the muscles in the back of the throat become more active and hold the airway open so that breathing can resume. These wakings make it very hard to get a good night's sleep.

What are the symptoms of OSA?

Soft, rhythmic snoring is not believed to have any significant adverse effects on health. However, when
snoring becomes loud with changes in its intensity, breathing may be impaired and sleep disrupted. Close observation often reveals pauses in breathing on periods where the individual appears to be struggling to breathe. These episodes usually end when the sleeper rouses for a moment and makes a loud snorting noise as breathing resumes. Occasionally individuals will awake from sleep feeling short of
breath. When these episodes happen often, fatigue and sleepiness during the day are the result. At first, this problem may be mild, with the individual falling asleep easily while reading or watching television.

As the apneas become more frequent, it will be more difficult to stay awake while doing active things such as driving a car or working at a job. It is well known that many patients have been involved in motor accidents. Because lack of sleep is very stressful, affected people may become irritable, undergo changes in personality, or have difficulty with memory. Occasionally they will experience headaches in the morning as well as sexual dysfunction. Sleep apnea is often associated with hypertension (high
blood pressure). When apnea is severe, heart failure may occur. There are also higher incidences of
ischemic heart disease and stroke in people with OSA.

Most people with sleep apnea are substantially overweight. Nasal congestion is often present, which means that breathing is done through the mouth. This produces dryness and soreness of the mouth in the morning. Any condition that contributes to the narrowing in the back of the throat such as enlarged tonsils or adenoids favors the development of sleep apnea.

How is OSA evaluated?

Consult your physician if you have loud snoring or excessive daytime sleepiness. The physician may
then refer you to a Sleep Disorders Center where experts will thoroughly evaluate the problem. This
usually involves overnight monitoring of sleep. A test called polysomnography is done to count
the number of irregular breathing events and measure their duration. The test notes oxygen levels in the blood and will tell if irregularities of the heartbeat go along with decreased breathing. The amount and quality of sleep are tested as well as the effect of sleeping positions on your breathing.

Prior to the test, wires will be attached to your body to record brain wave activity, movements of your eyes, muscle activity, heart beat and the movement of your chest and abdomen. The oxygen level in your blood will be recorded from a device clipped onto your ear or placed on your finger. A microphone is commonly used to record your snoring pattern. There is no pain or discomfort during the study.

In addition to overnight polysomnography, a thorough examination of the nose, mouth, throat and neck is performed. If surgery is being considered, x-rays of the upper airway are usually recommended.

What can be done to treat OSA and snoring?

Effective treatment is available for almost all patients. For patients with snoring and mild sleep apnea, a conservative approach to therapy is recommended. The following suggestions are often helpful:

o Reduce weight

o Avoid alcohol and medications such as tranquilizers and sleeping pills. These medications relax the muscles in the back of the throat and depress breathing.

o Sleep on your side or your stomach rather than on your back. Sleeping on your back can cause your tongue and soft palate to collapse against the back of your throat, blocking the airway.

o Use oral mediations prescribed or recommended by your physician to help you breathe through
your nose during sleep.

Nasal obstruction increases the frequency of snoring and disordered breathing during sleep. For patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea, therapy with a medical device called nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may be recommended. This device delivers room air to the nose and back of the throat at a slightly elevated pressure to keep the airway from collapsing during sleep. This therapy is safe, generally well-tolerated and highly effective. This device must be worn nightly.

Dental appliances that reposition the lower jaw and the tongue have been helpful in some patients with mild sleep apnea.

For some individuals, surgery may be recommended. Surgery may range from procedures designed to
open the nose, enlarge the back of the throat or allow air direct access to the lungs via a tube placed into the windpipe. Medications are generally not very effective in treating sleep apnea.

Understanding Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Go through Sleep Apnea - A New Treatment Option For Children a lot more

Sleep apnea is estimated to affect some two to three percent of children today (getting on for two million children in the United States alone) and is particularly seen in children between the ages of about three and six.

In the vast majority of cases the main cause of sleep apnea, in this case obstructive sleep apnea, is enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids and the preferred method of treatment is surgery. However, research being carried out at the University of Louisville in Kentucky may well result in thousands of children escaping what is for many an unpleasant and often frightening procedure.

Although the removal of tonsils and/or adenoids in children was extremely common some years ago the practice was, until recently, in decline, as doctors sought out alternative treatments for childhood throat infections. However, as an increasing number of children were diagnosed with sleep apnea, tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy rapidly became a common treatment for this condition and today some estimates show that as many as ninety percent of all such operations are carried out to cure sleep apnea, rather than throat infections.

It seems, however, that this could well change in the not too distant future.

Dr Goldbart, heading a research team at the University of Louisville, has been working in this area for some time now and presented the initial findings of his work on the tonsillar tissue of children with sleep apnea in June 2004. Based on these findings, Dr Goldbart's team proposed an alternative non-invasive treatment for mild cases of childhood sleep apnea and has since carried out a series of studies, the latest of which involved 40 children. The results have now just been published and are extremely encouraging.

The treatment involves the use of oral montelkast (sold under the brand name of Singulair) which many parents may well recognize as a common form of treatment for asthma.

In many cases of asthma breathing difficulties are caused by inflammation of the tonsils resulting from the presence of leukotriene receptors and Dr Goldbart and his team noticed that these same leukotriene receptors were present in the tonsils of children with sleep apnea. He concluded therefore that the treatment that has proved so effective in cases of asthma should also reduce inflammation and open up the airway in cases of sleep apnea, and it would appear that he is right.

It is of course still early days and a great deal more work needs to be done, including further double-blind and placebo-controlled studies. Nonetheless, his findings are indeed encouraging and may well provide an alternative to surgery for many thousands of children in the future.

Donald Saunders is the author of a number of health related publications including "How To Get A Good NightÂ’s Rest". Pick up your free copy today and discover how to cure insomnia or visit help-me-to-sleep.com and Learn more about treating sleep apnea

Sleep Apnea - A New Treatment Option For Children

Sleep Apnea

Go through Sleep Apnea Cures - Get Rid of Sleep Apnea additional

Sleep Apnea Cures - Get Rid of Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea Surgery

But before we take a look at what causes this and the numerous sleep apnea cures, it'd also be good to understand what occurs with the patient who's stricken with this disease. One thing is sure; you do not want to turn into recognized for this sickness as it may be life-endangering. An individual with this point stops breathing for therefore very drawn-out as one minute for as a lot as 100 times in the course of his sleep cycle. This evidently can easily publish a serious hazard to the patient's heart and brain.

Its treatments are available degrees of invasiveness and severity. For some, measures such as dropping weight, avoiding sedatives or alcohol prior to bedtime, and elevating the head of the bed can easily bring relief. Nasal dilators, like the adhesive strips worn on the surface of the nose, can likewise help in delicate cases. A whole lot more severe cases, however, might call for much more concerned remedies.

Surgery is sometimes proposed as among the many treatments. There are operations that can take out tissue, widen airways, etc. to avoid obstruction of the airway, thereby providing sleep apnea cures. To affect these surgical sleep apnea cures the physician who performs surgery might as well take out tonsils, adenoids or excess cells at the back of the throat or within the nose. In addition, the operating specialist may reconstruct the jaw. The course of action for these medical sleep apnea cures can easily contain a scalpel, a laser, or a micro waving probe.

Surgical sleep apnea cures might as well remove the essential reason for obstructive sleep apnea; however you will discover different points to consider. First, undergoing anesthesia and an operation is usually a danger to the patient. In addition, it is feasible that one medical procedure will not relieve the entire problem, thus requiring a sequence of surgeries over time. If the surgical sleep apnea cures are unsuccessful, they may impede the effectiveness of different types of treatments. Lastly, the ill effects of operative treatments can be severe, like pain and swelling of the throat.

Here are several approaches and remedies to help you:

Make an attempt sleeping on your side, rather than on your back. You may wish to examine pillows to assist you do this. You'll find special pillows that aid so look on line and you ought to locate fairly easily one.
Cease Smoking - In the event you smoke, either cigarettes or cigars, do your best to stop. Stay away from
Alcohol - Keep far away from alcohol for a few hours in advance of bedtime.
Train - Make an attempt to lose certain weight, if you're overweight. Any sort of exercise is sweet and will provide you with different good reasons as well. This seemingly without guilt quality can cause more critical complications, significantly together with your heart and circulation system so that you can be clever to pay notice of it and do one thing about it. You will find also dental gadgets that happen to be made use of in the remedy of sleep apnea. Always search for natural cures to manage stipulations that impact your or your loved ones as there are many available and usually have little to no ill effects opposite to harmful prescription drugs.

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Read What Is Sleep Apnea and Its Treatment? Understand the Basics more

Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder which is characterized by abnormal pauses in the breathing pattern, or instances of abnormally low breathing during sleep. Each pause between successive breaths is called an "apnea" - a word derived from the Greek word "apnoia" which means "without breath". In case of normal breathing, the frequency of pauses is constant and regular. When the normal breathing pattern changes due to various reasons, and the intervals between successive pauses start becoming irregular, it leads to sleep apnea disorder. Each irregular pause of breath is referred to as "hypopnea." So, in case of normal breathing, each interval or pause is termed as an "apnea", while in case of abnormal breathing it is termed as "hypopnea."

Symptoms of sleep apnea

Individuals suffering from the disorder often do not know they have it. Certain symptoms can ascertain whether the individual is suffering from the disorder. The major symptoms include:

Insomnia
Restless sleeping patterns
Choking or gasping during sleep
Night sweats
Feeling excessively sleepy during the day
Snoring frequently and loudly
Trouble in breathing during sleep

Other symptoms indicating a possible disorder are:

Fatigue
Morning headaches
Loss of memory
Difficulty in learning new things
Irritability
Inability to concentrate for long
Depressions
Mood swings and/or personality changes
Dry throat when awaking
Frequent urination during the night

Causes of sleep apnea

The disorder generally occurs due to a fat buildup, or a loss of the muscle tone, especially during old age. In this particular disorder, the tracheal muscles ("trachea" is the windpipe), the soft palate muscles at the base of the tongue, and the uvula ("uvula" is the triangular shaped small fleshy tissue hanging from the center in the back of the throat) relax to a considerable extent and collapse during the breathing activity. In simple terms, the windpipe becomes taut, or the layers of the windpipe adhere which restricts the flow of air into the lungs. The disorder can also occur due to a malfunction of neurons controlling the breathing process during sleep. This sleep disorder can be diagnosed by an overnight polysomnogram test - a sleep test which is extensively used to detect sleeping disorders and related problems.

Effects of sleep apnea

Even though the sleep disorder might appear to be a common and not-so-serious, it can lead to some serious health problems. If left untreated, the disorder can result in:

Depression
Sexual dysfunction
Hypertension
High blood pressure
Irregular heart beats
Coronary Heart Disease
Chronic Heart Failure
Worsening of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Types of sleep apnea

There are three types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
Central sleep apnea (CSA)
Mixed sleep apnea (MSA)

Even though all the three types of sleeping disorders differ as far as their causes and treatment is concerned, one aspect remain common - some parts of the respiratory system narrow down and impair the percentage of oxygen reaching the subject's lungs.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

This is a highly common form of the disorder found in majority of the individuals suffering from sleeping disorder. Obstructive sleep apnea is a physical disorder. This form of disorder is typically characterized by individuals who have:

More weight (overweight)
Small jaw line
A small air passage in the trachea (windpipe)
Large tongue
Tonsils

The main cause of OSA is the same as stated above for sleep apnea. The condition can further worsen if the subject consumes alcohol, ingests tranquilizers and sleeping pills.

Central sleep apnea (CSA)

This is a comparatively rare form of the sleeping disorder in which the tracheal muscles do not sag to much extent, and the air passage remains large enough so that enough air can pass through. However, in this particular disorder the diaphragm and the chest muscles temporarily fail to function effectively, which results in reduced oxygen levels in the blood. The decreased oxygen level affects normal metabolic working of the body, and the brain too receives less oxygen so the subject suffers from memory loss, slow learning, sluggish reflexes, and inability to concentrate for long.

Mixed sleep apnea (MSA)

In very rare cases, some individuals experience both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea simultaneously. In such cases, both the sleep disorders manifest themselves by interspersing with each other, and the individual may experience the effects of either of the disorders at one particular instance, or a combined effect of both. The pathological or psychological effects of this disorder cannot be predetermined or ascertained since many factors affect its manifestation.

Sleep apnea treatment

The treatment for the sleep disorder varies in accordance to the level to which the individual is suffering from it. Generally, the treatment can be administered in the form of therapies and surgeries depending upon how much the disorder is affecting the individual. The treatment consists of:

Therapies

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

This therapy is generally used if the individual has moderate to severe sleep disorder. The therapy consists of a machine which delivers air (oxygen) through a mask placed over the nose while asleep. The air pressure remains greater than that of the surrounding air, and is just strong enough to keep the air passages open.

Adjustable airway pressure devices

In this therapy, a special type of air pressure device automatically adjusts the air pressure and oxygen levels while asleep. The basic functioning of the device is similar to that used for CPAP therapy, however it is a more advanced model and supports bi-level positive airway pressure (BPAP). The device provides more pressure while inhaling and reduces the pressure while exhaling.

Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV)

This airflow device learns and understands the normal breathing pattern, and subsequently stores the information in a built-in computer. While asleep, the machine regulates the air pressure to normalize the breathing pattern, and prevents any pauses in the breathing activity. ASV is more successful than CPAP while treating central sleep apnea in some individuals.

Oral appliances

This therapy involves wearing an oral appliance specially designed to keep the throat "open". Oral appliances are easier to use. Some appliances are specially designed to keep the throat open by bringing the jaw forward, which can at times even relieve snoring as well as prevent mild obstructive sleep apnea.

Surgery

The main objective of sleep apnea related surgery is to remove any excess tissues from the nose or the throat which may be causing the blockage of the air passage. The surgical options include:

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

During this surgical procedure, excessive tissue is removed from the rear of your mouth, and from the top of the throat. At times, the tonsils and adenoids are also removed. This type of surgery can be successful in preventing snoring, however, from clinical findings it is observed to be less successful in treating sleep apnea, since the tissues farther down the trachea (windpipe) may still block the air passage. UPPP procedure is generally performed in a hospital, and requires administration of general anesthesia.

Maxillomandibularadvancement

In this procedure, the jaw is moved forward from the remaining facial bones. This enlarges the space behind the tongue and the soft palate, reducing the air obstruction. This procedure may require the services of an oral surgeon and/or an orthodontist, and may be combined with other surgical procedures to improve the likelihood of success.

Tracheostomy

This is a critical surgery, and it is only recommended when other treatments fail and the subject has severe or life-threatening sleep apnea disorder. In this procedure, an opening is made in the neck and a metal or plastic tube is inserted into the trachea through which we breathe. The opening is covered during the day, and at night, it is uncovered to allow air into the lungs. The tube helps to bypass the blocked air passage.

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What Is Sleep Apnea and Its Treatment? Understand the Basics

Sleep Apnea Surgery

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Sleep Apnea

What are the symptoms of OSA?

How is OSA evaluated?

In addition to overnight polysomnography, a thorough examination of the nose, mouth, throat and neck is performed. If surgery is being considered, x-rays of the upper airway are usually recommended.

What can be done to treat OSA and snoring?

o Reduce weight

o Avoid alcohol and medications such as tranquilizers and sleeping pills. These medications relax the muscles in the back of the throat and depress breathing.

o Sleep on your side or your stomach rather than on your back. Sleeping on your back can cause your tongue and soft palate to collapse against the back of your throat, blocking the airway.

o Use oral mediations prescribed or recommended by your physician to help you breathe through
your nose during sleep.

Dental appliances that reposition the lower jaw and the tongue have been helpful in some patients with mild sleep apnea.

Understanding Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea

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Sleep Apnea Cures - Get Rid Of Sleep Apnea in No Time!

Sleep Apnea Surgery

Everyone who has obstructive sleep apnea wants to find a way to get rid of it as soon as possible. They are probably experiencing the negative side effects of this common disease and have had enough - all they want is a good night's rest. But, they may be afraid to go visit their doctor or get a checkup because of what they might find. In severe cases, this may be necessary, but more often than not, just a simple change in your habits can take care of your sleep issues right away. Here are some of the various techniques used to get rid of your sleep disorder - choose a sleep apnea cure, implement it, and you will see improvements in no time!

Diet Related Cures

One of the first sleep apnea cures that can fix your issues in a hurry is a change in diet. Most people don't know this, but what you eat and drink before you go to bed has a huge effect on the quality of your rest. Not only do things like coffee and tea make it difficult for you to fall a sleep due to the caffeine, they can also tense up throat muscles, constricting your airways. There are many other diet related issues that can compromise the quality of your sleep.

Health Related Cures

There are some things related to your general health that will also help you with your sleeping issues. Something as simple as losing some weight has been shown to reduce the occurrence of sleep related disorders like sleep apnea. Not only will losing weight help you sleep better, it will improve your overall health condition and make you feel better.

Simple Techniques

Along with the aforementioned sleep apnea cures, there are a few simple techniques that you can use to help mitigate the effects of your sleep disorder. Things such as your body position and the way your head lays in relation to your body play a huge role in the quality of your sleep. If you can learn how to position yourself correctly, you can get rid of your sleep issues in no time.

There is no single sleep apnea treatment that works for everyone - you need to try a few (or even a combination of multiple techniques) to get your sleep issues taken care of. There is really no need to visit your doctor and get strong medication or even surgery to take care of your issues - you can fix it yourself at home using some very simple techniques!

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Are There Dental Cures for Sleep Apnea?

There are cures for sleep apnea! Dentists are in a wonderful position to help their patients experience relief from the anxiety of sleep apnea concerns by designing a dental appliance to treat sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when your airway is closing and you are not getting air and oxygen into your lungs. You become susceptible to stroke and heart disease as well as other life threatening conditions. You probably feel tired during the day and it is all because your airways are closing while you are sleeping.

A common unpopular apparatus that people use us a CPAP machine. With a CPAP machine, oxygen is very forcefully being pushed down your airways. Many patients do not like sleeping with all the hoses and masks. With a dental appliance. It is like wearing a little mouth guard. A dentist will position the jaw to stay forward. By keeping the jaw forward your airway does not close. If your airway does not close, oxygen is getting in.

With a dental appliance, you can roll over in bed. You can sleep on your back. Roll on your side. You cannot do that with a CPAP machine. Many patients with a CPAP machine complain, "I have to carry this big machine with me when I travel." However, with a dental appliance, you just snap in into your mouth. There are alternative ways to treat sleep apnea. There are different types of dental appliances out there. Go to a dentist. It is very easy to assess your needs and design a proper fitting appliance.

Your dentist will make an impression of your upper and lower jaw. Then he or she will make you an appliance. You put it in and you should not have anymore signs of sleep apnea.

Now, in order to get an appliance you have to be diagnosed with sleep apnea. How do you do that? You go to a sleep center. Your doctor can send you there. Your dentist can send you there. They monitor you when you are sleeping. They monitor how many times is your air way closing. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you can either wear a CPAP machine or a dental appliance. If you choose to wear a dental appliance, seek out a good dentist who knows how to do that and uses a good quality lab to make those. You can have a sleep apnea appliance made that has no hoses. Without any wires and you can toss and turn all night long.

Sleep Apnea

At Dr. Anthony Grasso, DDS we specialize in creating custom solutions for your dental needs. We take every case individually, listening to you to understand your particular desires. Then, we discuss each option with you on how to best enhance your look. Dr. Anthony Grasso DDS is a member of the American Dental Association, New York State Dental Society and Onondaga County Dental Society. Dr. Grasso is past president of the Syracuse Dental Seminar. He is a lifelong resident of the Syracuse New York area, and received a Doctorate in Dental Surgery from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Dental Cures For Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea

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Sleep Apnea

For over 18 million people, sleep doesn't always come easy. Most of us get to lay our heads down on our comfy pillows and drift off to sleep without any problems; but for some, being comfortable is not an option. Most people have heard about sleep apnea and the fact that it is caused by the soft palate collapsing, which can cause a person to stop breathing. What most people don't know about however is the lack of comfortable treatment methods for those who have the condition.

It is helpful to know a little bit more about this sleep condition so that the treatments can fully be understood. As noted, people who have sleep apnea often stop breathing in their sleep when the soft palate collapses. A person can go several years without even realizing they have sleep apnea, especially if they live alone. This is because the number one sign that a person could possibly have sleep apnea aside from momentarily not breathing is excessive and loud snoring. Unless you live with another person who vocalizes how loud and disturbing the snoring is, a person might not ever realize that their snoring is that bad. It has been found out that sleep apnea tends to affect those more who are either obese, getting up there in age or a combination of both. Medical professionals expect that as the current generation of adults start to age, that they are going to continue to see a steady rise of patients who develop sleep apnea.

The current and most common treatment for the sleep disorder seems to be the use of CPAP, which stands for "continuous positive airway pressure". The unfortunate side to this treatment is that it requires wearing a large and uncomfortable mask to bed every night. Patients seem to agree that the mask is so bulky and uncomfortable that only around half of people who are prescribed one actually use it as they are supposed to. Diagnosis of the disorder is commonly made by admitting a person to a hospital or sleep study center overnight and observing their sleeping patterns and their breathing. Luckily, most insurance companies cover sleep apnea testing these days, but it was found out that if you have to pay out of pocket, the test can run around $1,000.00.

While new medical advances are constantly being made, there has not been much done in the way of new treatments for sleep apnea. The one thing that is being done however is that companies who make the masks are trying to come up with ones that fit more comfortably so that patients will have no problems wearing them. That is the only apnea treatment trend that seems to be in the works and reasonable. For more on advances in sleep apnea and treatments for other health conditions, see http://www.theinternettimemachine.com.

Sleep Apnea - Current and Future Treatment Trends

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What to Expect at Your Sleep Study

So, you have troubles sleeping at night? Or perhaps you are excessively tired during the day? Did you doctor suggest getting a sleep study done?

While you might be concerned at the prospect of sleeping at a strange place with strangers watching over you, the actual process is quite simple. Let's walk you step-by-step through what you can expect from a sleep study.

A sleep study, or polysomnogram, is the best way for doctors to discover just why you are not getting a good night's sleep. If you have an issue with snoring, restless limbs, sleepwalking, bedwetting, night terrors, insomnia, or difficulty sleeping while on shift work, a polysomnogram will let the doctors see just why you are having difficulties, and make suggestions which can help relieve the problem.

There are five different types of sleep tests:

Diagnostic Overnight Polysomnogram
Diagnostic Daytime Multiple Sleep Latency Test
Diagnostic Daytime Multiple Wake Test
Two Night Polysomnogram with CPAP Titration
Split Night Polysomnogram with CPAP Titration

The type of test you get will depend on the specific issues you are facing.

You will be given a set of instructions by your doctor before your sleep test. These instructions let you know how you should prepare yourself for your visit. Patients are asked to refrain from drinking or taking any medications before the test. If you have prescription medicine that you usually take at night, bring it with you and ask if it will interfere with the testing. Always let your doctors know exactly what medications you are taking, including herbal remedies and vitamins.

Before heading to your sleep test, pack a small overnight bag. You will need your PJs, the clothing you plan to wear the following day, toiletries, shampoo and/or soap for a shower in the morning, and any books/magazines/music that you might want for entertainment before sleeping. If you are fussy about your pillow, it is a good idea to bring your own along for comfort. Be sure to avoid any caffeine or alcohol the day before your test, especially after noon. It is wise to take a shower before your appointment, but do not use any creams, moisturizers, perfumes, or other skin products. All make-up, nail polish, and fake nails should be removed as they can interfere with the testing equipment.

You may have already been asked to fill out a questionnaire before your appointment. If not, you will likely be asked to fill one out when you arrive. This will inform the doctors of your regular sleep habits and help them interpret your results.

At most sleep centers you will have a private suite which includes a bathroom with a shower, and, of course, the bedroom. There will be a central monitoring station which may monitor several rooms at once. When you arrive you will be given some time to get changed and become comfortable.

Once you are ready for bed the technicians will hook you up to a series of sensors. These electrodes read a variety of information which is later interpreted by your sleep doctor.

EEG or electroencephalogram - These electrodes are attached to your head and measure your brainwaves as you sleep. Different patterns of brainwaves are associated with different stages of sleep. EMG or electromyogram - These electrodes measure your muscle reaction, indicating muscle twitches, leg movements, and many other movements typical of REM sleep. EOG or electro-oculogram - These electrodes are placed above your brow and/or below your eye to measure the movement of your eyes as you enter REM sleep. EKG or electrocardiogram - A series of electrodes on your chest to monitor your heart. Nasal Airflow Sensor - This sensor is placed near your nose and mouth to measure the temperature of your breath and the rate of your breathing, which will detect any periods of irregular breathing. Chest/Abdomen Belts - These two belts are placed around your chest and abdomen to measure the strength and depth of your breathing. Oximeter - This clip is attached to one of your fingers to measure the oxygen level in your blood.

In addition to the sensors attached to you, there are monitors in place to video record your sleep and record the sounds you make as you sleep. Having so many sensors attached may seem uncomfortable, but most people sleep reasonably well while at the sleep clinic.

A sleep test is generally finished by 6-7 in the morning. As long as you have a minimum of 6 hours of testing time, most clinics are fairly flexible as to when you need to leave. You will not get your results immediately after the test. It takes a couple of hours to process all of the information that has been gathered through the night, and then more time for a doctor to interpret the results. Most patients hear back from their doctors within a week of the sleep test.

Sleep Apnea

A sleep apnea mouthpiece is an effective way to treat sleep apnea and snoring. Finding a sleep apnea treatment plan is very important in living a healthy life.

Sleep Study - Your Sleep Apnea Study Procedure

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10 Tips on Finding the Right Surgeon For Your Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea Surgery

Finding the right surgeon for you can be a challenge in any situation, but finding the right sleep apnea surgeon can be even more challenging since there are so many different procedures and there are no standard operations. I'm asked quite often by people in other states or other countries who they should go see to treat their sleep apnea condition, and over the years, I've come up with the following 10 thoughts and tips. These are suggestions that I would offer to a friend or relative in a remote state if they asked for my advice.

In most cases, an ENT surgeon will be the most appropriate person to see, as they are most qualified to perform surgical procedures of the upper airway. By definition, ENTs (otolaryngologists) are trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the soft tissues of the head and neck region. They are the specialists that other doctors call to manage complications of the upper airway. However, there are situations where oro-maxillo-facial surgeons and general plastic surgeons may also play a role.

1. Did you exhaust every other possible option for sleep apnea? Did you try CPAP? How much effort did you put into making sure you gave CPAP a chance to work? Did you consider dental appliances? A good surgeon doesn't rush into surgery without trying conservative options first.

2. Can you breathe through your nose? Having a stuffy nose can definitely prevent you from benefitting from either CPAP or dental devices. Often, after optimizing nasal breathing via medical or surgical means, people are able to use CPAP or dental devices more effectively.

3. Make sure the surgeon is confident to a reasonable degree where your obstruction is happening. Performing major surgery to "see what happens" is not a reason to do surgery. There are three major areas: the nose, the soft palate and the tongue. The surgeon must be comfortable operating in all three areas. How thoroughly do they examine your upper airway? Do they look with the fiberoptic camera with you sitting up and lying flat? Do they look for movement of the space behind the tongue by having you thrust your lower jaw forward?

4. Can they give you their success rates and complication rates? What is their definition of success? What are their long-term success rates?
Compare this with current success rates for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), which has published success rates around 40%. Multilevel surgery approaches around 75 to 80%.

Can they honestly give you their complication rates? If they have no complications whatsoever, I'd be suspicious. Are they prepared to handle anything that may arise? Ask what his or her last complication was and how it was managed. It may seem counterintuitive, but if they don't have any experience managing complications, you don't want to be the first one.

5. Do they have a plan in case the surgery doesn't work as planned? If the post-op sleep study shows less than a significant drop in the AHI score, what are your options? This should be discussed before your initial surgery. Do you stop there, or do you go back and do more (if there's an obvious area to address), or do you go back to CPAP? Is a referral to an oro-maxillofacial surgeon an option?

6. Don't focus too much on volume of cases. What's important is how well it's done and the appropriate location of the procedure, rather than total number of cases performed. Thousands of UPPPs alone are performed every year by surgeons with only a 40% success rate. If this is the only operation that's offered, without a plan to address the tongue either simultaneously or at a later point, then your chances of success is no better than 40%.

7. Do they use the Friedman staging system? This is a simple screening tool where by looking at the size of your tonsils and your tongue position, you can predict whether or not a UPPP alone can have an 80% chance of success. Most people will fall into the "unfavorable" category, but if you meet the "favorable" criteria, a UPPP alone may be a good option, as long as you understand that there's still about a 20% chance of failure.

8. How comfortable are they performing tongue base procedures? Do they have experience with multiple procedures or are they very good at just one? Are they able to perform any of the minimally invasive tongue base procedures in addition to the standard techniques?

9. How well do they work with your sleep doctor and/or dentist to coordinate your care? Is he or she willing to combine multiple treatment options if necessary? Sometimes dental devices or surgery can make CPAP more tolerable by lowering the necessary pressure.

10. Do you trust your surgeon? You must be comfortable and have a good rapport before you undergo any invasive procedure. Get second or third opinions. No matter how technically skilled the surgeon is, if there's no bedside manner or if the staff is rude, it will eventually show in the quality of your care. As with any doctor, the focus must be on you as a whole person, rather than an isolated surgical procedure.

As you can see there's no one best solution for treating sleep apnea. There are general recommended guidelines and conservative options must be tried before surgery, but even with surgery, many different paths can be taken, since every patient is different with individual needs. If you're considering surgery, find someone that you're comfortable with, and develop a good relationship with that surgeon.

Now that you know how to find the right surgeon, how do you know if you're choosing the right treatment option? For a free report on "The Truth About Obstructive Sleep Apnea Surgery," go to http://www.thetruthaboutosasurgery.com. Dr. Steven Y. Park is an otolaryngologist and author of Sleep, Interrupted: A physician reveals the #1 reason why so many of us are sick and tired. It was endorsed by New York Times best-selling authors Christiane Northrup, M.D., Dean Ornish, M.D., Mark Liponis, M.D., Mary Shomon, and many others. http://www.sleepinterrupted.com

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Can Bariatric Surgery Cure Sleep Apnea?

Sleep Apnea Surgery

The symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, OSA, include sleepiness during the day (hypersomnia); snoring; episodes of choking, or breathing cessation, during sleep; awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat; and morning headaches. Sleep apnea is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and also causes snoring.

The incidence of OSA has been shown to be almost 90% in severely obese patients. In fact, being overweight has been regarded as the most important cofactor contributing to the severity of OSA. For this reason, the treatment of OSA includes means to achieve substantial weight loss.

A logical question thus is: Can Bariatric Surgery cure Sleep Apnea?

In general, reliable and substantial weight loss, usually not achieved by dietary means, can be accomplished by bariatric surgery with accompanying major reductions in associated co-morbidities. Two operative approaches are commonly performed: vertical-banded gastroplasty (VBG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The loss of weight may be as much as 100 to 150 pounds within a year. The mechanism of this weight loss is twofold: decreased food intake, coupled with its malabsorption. This is because of the reduction in the size of the stomach as well as the rerouting of food to the small intestine which reduces the calories and nutrients absorbed by the body. In general, mean weight loss is greater after gastric bypass than after VBG.

Weight loss achieved by bariatric surgery has been reported to be associated with significant long-term improvements in obstructive respiratory events, oxygenation and resolution of daytime somnolence. Bariatric surgery may significantly reduce breathing interruptions during sleep, and reduce snoring. A possible mechanism for amelioration of symptoms is that weight loss is associated with a reduction in upper airway collapsibility and that resolution of sleep apnea depends on the absolute value to which the upper airway critical pressure falls.

The AASM recommends bariatric surgery as an optional treatment for severe obesity and sleep apnea. It is, however, mandatory that the surgical modalities be used only in association with a first-line treatment such as CPAP.

To clinically diagnose OSA and define its severity, though, sleep medicine doctors use the "apnea-hypoxia index" and those with mild OSA have 5-14 episodes of apnea-hypoxia an hour, while OSA is said to be severe if the number of apnea-hypoxic episodes per hour exceeds 30. There are no clear cut guidelines for determining which patients of OSA are ideal candidates for bariatric surgery.

Sleep apnea is one of the criteria used to support the 'medical necessity' of bariatric surgeries, even those with moderate obesity (BMI≥35) could be a candidate if their surgeon is convinced that they have a "serious obesity-related morbidity, such as obstructive sleep apnea." Therefore, if surgery is considered, the patient should be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team that incorporates medical, nutritional, and psychological care and proper counseling regarding its risk benefit ratio.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of a total of 22,094 patients revealed that obstructive sleep apnea was resolved in 85.7% of patients, and was partially resolved or improved in 83.6% of patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

No long-term outcome data exist to clearly demarcate how much of a reduction in the AHI or CPAP pressures is required to result in meaningful reductions in symptoms and co-morbidities related to OSA. As per researchers, a very small minority of patients actually experience resolution of obstructive events even after sustained weight loss and many continue to require CPAP therapy. In fact many patients reported no amelioration of symptoms like somnolence and snoring. It also has to be mentioned that in the long run, there are cases of recurrence of sleep apnea without concomitant weight increase.

Until the impact of surgical weight loss is better defined, patients should understand that they are likely to continue to require treatment for OSA. Patients and healthcare practitioners alike should recognize that reliance on bariatric surgery as a 'cure' for OSA may lead to an inappropriate cessation of CPAP therapy.

It is strongly recommended that CPAP be administered to these patients before surgery. Empiric CPAP at 10 cm H2O can be considered for those patients who cannot complete polysomnography, and the patient should continue to receive CPAP until broad weight reduction has been achieved. Especially during the immediate postoperative period, CPAP may be needed to protect the upper airway until sedative and muscle-relaxing drugs have been metabolized. The importance of a long term, meticulous follow up of these patients cannot be over emphasized.

It is essential to keep in mind that surgical weight loss alone cannot cure OSA, although it does tend to reduce the severity of disease and may lower CPAP pressures required to prevent apneic events.

Until randomized controlled trials prove its efficacy irrevocably, and more definitive guidelines for suitability of candidates are laid down, the use of bariatric surgery to cure sleep apnea remains largely empirical.

Alma Orozco is a certified patient coordinator of the Ready4Achange team for weight loss surgery in Monterrey, Mexico. Monterrey is rated as the safest city in Latin America and the medical facilities out there are certified by US hospitals. The low cost of living makes surgery very affordable in Mexico. You can check out gastric bypass surgery done by Dr Zapata at CIMA Monterrey by clicking on the link.

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Sleep Apnea

Those that suffer from sleep apnea know that it can be very dangerous and they know that it can ruin a good night of rest as well. The problem is that most over the counter products that claim to be sleep apnea cures barely work. They might help a little bit, but they certainly do not cure the problem at all. Here are some natural tips to help you with your sleep disorder.

1. Stop smoking and drinking

If you are a smoker, especially if you smoke more than a full pack each day, then you can cure your sleep problems just by quitting the bad habit of smoking. This also goes for those that are heavy drinkers and it can be very dangerous to drink a lot of you suffer from sleep apnea. This could even be deadly if you happen to have a severe case and you do not find one of the sleep apnea treatments soon.

2. Start exercising

Those that are heavier, especially, can help cure their sleeping problems by losing some weight through exercise. Exercise will also help to strengthen your lungs and make it easier for you to breathe while you are sleeping. This is a great way to become healthier as well and when you are healthier you will sleep much better. Sleep apnea cures come in many forms, but if you are not in very good shape exercise can be the answer you have been searching for.

3. Using a special pillow or mouth piece

If you are desperate or you need a temporary solution while you are working on quitting smoking or drinking or you are starting a new exercise program, then you can use a pillow made to be one of the sleep apnea cures or you can use a mouth piece designed to help keep your airway clear. This can help, but it is not recommended for the long term. Use the pillow and/or the mouth piece until you start to feel healthier and try to go a night without them to see how things go.

Basically those that are suffering from a sleep disorder can usually link it back to the type of lifestyle they live. Those with a good and balanced diet that exercise regularly rarely have the sleeping problems that those without a healthy diet and regular exercise suffer from. You just need to find the sleep apnea cure that is right for you. And with the internet, you may even come across an e-book that can guide you to get rid of this condition effectively.

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Sleep Apnea Cures - The Best Ways to Cure Sleep Apnea!

Sleep Apnea

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Sleep Apnea Surgery

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder or condition that causes interrupted breathing by stops and starts repeatedly during the night due to airway obstruction. Because of this many health problems can result. Current research shows that being overweight or obese is a major reason why people suffer from it but not always.

People who have sleep apnea also are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and diabetes to name just a few. If you have underlying heart disease, it can lead to a sudden death from low blood oxygen. Many diabetics are unaware that they have it. In fact a majority of diabetics who haven't been diagnosed with it are unaware they have it.

The disrupted sleep among sufferers causes disrupted hormones and metabolism and can contribute to obesity and diabetes, which only compounds matters if one is already overweight.

Among pregnant women, those who snore are more likely to have sleep apnea than those who do not. In addition, temporary sleep apnea can be a problem among pregnant women and often goes undiagnosed.

Disrupting sleep can also cause brain issues. Depriving the brain of uninterrupted sleep may make the plaques that cause Alzheimer's show up earlier and possibly more often. A high percentage of dementia patients have diagnosed, and many probably undiagnosed, sleep apnea.

In addition, you may have complications when you take certain medications or problems with breathing after surgery. Moreover, you can disrupt the sleep of anyone else sleeping in the room with you so they may suffer from sleep deprivation too.

You may have sleep apnea if you snore loudly and get tired after getting a full night's sleep.

There are three types of sleep apnea - the most common type is obstructive - this is the most common type when the muscles in the throat relax. Central is the second type when your brain doesn't send the proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing. The third type is complex and is a combination of the two other types but is less common.

Some of the signs and symptoms are daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, a period where you stop breathing during your sleep, awakening with shortness of breath, dry mouth or sore throat on awakening, headache in the morning, insomnia or difficulty in staying asleep.

If you think you have sleep apnea or your spouse or partner say you have stopped breathing during the night or you have snoring concerns, see your doctor as soon as possible if you haven't already. Meanwhile get informed and do plenty of research so you know what questions to ask and to learn all you can.

For more tips on snoring sleep apnea and sleep disorder treatments go to http://www.SleepDisorderTips.com a nurse's website specializing in sleep disorder tips, treatments, natural treatments, causes and remedies for adult, child and infant including info on snoring, insomnia and sleep disorder centers

What Health Problems Can Sleep Apnea Cause? - Nurse's Guide

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Sleep Apnea Surgery

Your snoring can be more than an annoyance to your partner. It can also be a sign of a serious sleep disorder that can have long terms effects on your health. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that occurs when the upper airway becomes obstructed by a narrowing of the respiratory passages.

It can disrupt your breathing and unknowingly wake you up countless times during the night. Consequently, you won't get the deep sleep that you need to function well when awake. In this article, we'll detail the symptoms of this disorder and your apnea treatment options.

The most common complaints associated with obstructive sleep apnea are loud snoring, disrupted sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness. Patients with apnea suffer from fragmented sleep and may develop cardiovascular abnormalities because of the repetitive cycles of snoring, airway collapse and waking up.

Although most patients are overweight and have a short, thick neck, some are of normal weight but have a small, receding jaw. Because many patients are not aware of their heavy snoring and nocturnal arousals, this nocturnal sleep problem may remain undiagnosed.

Sleep apnea can come with other health conditions. Cardiovascular disease is common in patients. Hypertension and obesity increase the risk of cardiac disease and are frequent findings in patients with this type of disorder. Patients with apnea who are smokers may also have coronary artery disease and obstructive airway disease.

Psychosocial problems are common in patients who have apnea. These patients often have depression, mood changes, poor memory, irritability and impaired concentration. Nocturnal panic attacks have also been associated with this type of disorder.

Sleep medicine isn't enough to treat apnea. Specialists usually recommend weight loss, and dental devices that modify the position of the tongue or jaw. Some doctors may prescribe the use of a CPAP mask. With this method, straps hold the mask firmly over the nose and the CPAP machine that generates the positive airway pressure sits on a table next to the bed.

CPAP treatment is used in most patients who have apnea. Jaw surgery is the most invasive surgical procedure used to treat this malady. The surgical procedure may be limited to pulling the tongue forward. An extensive procedure may entail moving both the mandible and maxilla. Extensive jaw surgery has a higher complication rate and a longer recovery time.

Sleepiness during the day is perhaps the least worrisome of all the side effects. It is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.

The risks of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea include heart attacks, strokes, impotence, anxiety disorders, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and heart disease. The severity of the symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe but it's best to consult a clinic as soon as possible for the appropriate apnea treatment.

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What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?