Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. If you snore loudly and still feel tired after a full night’s sleep, you may have sleep apnea. Mild cases can be treated with lifestyle changes such as weight loss, quitting smoking, or changing sleep positions. Treating nasal allergies may also help. If these measures don’t work, or if your apnea is moderate to severe, other treatments are available In most cases, sleep apnea is diagnosed and treated using a structured approach. Diagnosis of sleep apnea begins with polysomnography—a sleep study assessing brain activity, movement of the eye, heart rate, and breathing patterns during sleep. These diagnostic tests not only confirm the presence of sleep apnea but also show the severity of the problem and what exactly causes your sleep to be disrupted. The most common treatment, in the event of diagnosis, is the use of a CPAP machine. It keeps the airways open with the continuous stream of air provided through a mask worn during sleep, effectively ceasing collapsing airways and reducing apneas to hence significantly improve the quality of sleep and health in general. In cases where CPAP will not work or even if it is impossible, there are other ways of remedying the condition. Airway stenting involves the placement of a small tube or stent in the airway, which keeps it open for the improved passage of air, hence offering relief for those who might not benefit from CPAP.
Surgery for sleep apnea can involve:
- Tissue Removal: Removing tissue from the palate and throat to stop snoring and vibrating.
- Radio-Frequency Treatment: Using heat to shrink tissues in the throat and mouth to reduce snoring and apnea.
- Nerve Stimulation: Placing a device under the skin to keep the tongue in position and keep the airway open.
- Tracheostomy: Creating a new airway by inserting a tube through the neck, mainly used for severe cases where other treatments fail.
These surgeries are usually considered after other treatments haven’t worked for at least three months.
- Jaw Repositioning: To improve breathing, the jaw is surgically moved forward, creating more space behind the tongue and soft palate, reducing the risk of obstruction.
6. Implants- Thin rods made of polyester or plastic are inserted into the soft palate under local anesthesia.