Some sleep apnea patients may need surgery to remove excess tissue from the nose or throat (removal of adenoids and tonsils, nasal polyps or other growth) and to straighten a deviated septum. Although surgery is an excellent way of treating symptomatic sleep apnea, its success rate is low. Therefore, surgery should be reserved for those patients who have not responded to other therapeutic interventions. Usually, more than one surgical procedure is attempted to realize the benefits.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is the most common surgery to treat sleep apnea. It intends to enlarge the airways by removing all redundant tissue (tonsils, adenoids, uvula) from the pharynx. The overall success rate is 30 to 50 percent.
Laser-assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) can be performed in a specialist’s office and involves the use of a laser to remove part of the soft palate, shorten the uvula (the uvula is the tissue that hangs from the middle of the back of the roof of the mouth) and remove other excess tissue from the pharynx. However, the effectiveness of LAUP in treating sleep apnea has not yet been proven.
Tracheostomy is absolutely successful but is very invasive, both physically and psychologically and therefore is generally reserved for patients with severe life threatening sleep apnea. In this procedure, a small hole is made in the trachea or windpipe below the site of obstruction and a tube is inserted into the opening. This tube is opened only during sleeping hours, so that air flows directly into the lungs, bypassing any blocked air passage in the throat.
Other surgical procedures include radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which makes use of radiofrequency energy to remove tissue from uvula, soft palate and tongue and thereby help treat sleep apnea. In children and adolescents removal of enlarged tonsils or adenoids stands as a viable option in the treatment of sleep apnea.
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Sleep Apnea Treatment
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The goal of treatment for sleep apnea patients is to keep the airway open and prevent pauses in breathing during sleep. Various methods used to alleviate sleep apnea include: Behavioral Therapy, which should include avoiding alcohol and CNS depressants close to bedtime, weight reduction and...
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea
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Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition characterized by recurrent hypoxemia and arousal, due to partial or complete obstruction of the upper airways during sleep with consequent daytime somnolence. Symptoms are loud snoring, hypersomnolence (excessive daytime sleepiness), and restless sleep. Other symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea...
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Sleep Apnea
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Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by episodes of disturbed or interrupted breathing during sleep associated with recurrent arousals and awakenings. The cessation in breathing (interruption) during sleep lasts for 10-30 seconds in patients with mild-to-moderate sleep apnea. However, in severe cases this cessation...
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Central Sleep Apnea
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Central sleep apnea is a rare condition characterized by a cessation or decrease in breathing during sleep due to problem with signals from the brain that control breathing. The symptoms of central sleep apnea are loud snoring, hypersomnolence (excessive daytime sleepiness), and restless sleep. The...
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Sleep Apnea Symptoms
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Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by episodes of disturbed or interrupted breathing during sleep resulting in recurrent arousals and awakenings. The symptoms of sleep apnea are loud snoring, hyper somnolence (excessive daytime sleepiness), and restless sleep. Snoring is a sign of upper-airway obstruction...
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Sleep Apnea Masks
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Sleep apnea masks provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and are the most effective noninvasive medical treatment to eliminate snoring and prevent sleep apnea. The CPAP consists of a portable machine with a mask, tubes and fan. The patient wears the sealed mask, which is...
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It’s been over 30 years since laser surgery was first used on humans to treat them for various diseases. Since then, its popularity has soared even higher because it can cure a number of problems quickly, and without causing much pain. Laser surgery is most...
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Technological advancements have made all kinds of surgery relatively easy, and Scoliosis Surgery is no exception. Earlier, patients underwent a drawn-out process of surgery, followed by treatment and casting. They also took several months to recover. Today, although Scoliosis Surgery still takes several hours, patients...