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 may last for even three minutes. It is estimated that in United States alone, over 12 million people suffer from sleep apnea.
There are two types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea characterized by recurrent hypoxemia and arousal and Central sleep apnea caused due to problem with signals from the brain that control breathing.
The cardinal symptoms of sleep apnea are loud snoring, hypersomnolence (excessive daytime sleepiness), and restless sleep. Other symptoms of sleep apnea include choking or gasping during sleep, unrefreshing sleep, morning headaches, daytime fatigue, personality changes, memory impairment, impaired concentration, poor judgment, mood disturbances, recent weight gain, polyurea, and impotence.
The goal of treatment for sleep apnea patients is to keep the airway open and prevent pauses in breathing during sleep. Various methods are used to alleviate sleep apnea including Behavioral Therapy such as avoiding alcohol and CNS depressants close to bedtime, weight reduction and sleep posture modification.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) works by gently blowing pressurized air through the nasal passage of the patient at a pressure high enough to prevent the throat from collapsing during sleep.
Oral or dental appliances reposition the lower jaw and the tongue, thus opening up the space at the back of the throat, and helping treat sleep apnea.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
UPPP, the most common type of surgery to treat sleep apnea, enlarges airways by removing redundant tissue (tonsils, adenoids, uvula) from the pharynx.
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 tissue that hangs from the middle of the back of the roof of the mouth) and remove other excess tissue from the pharynx.
Tracheostomy is a procedure in which 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.
Related Articles of Interest :
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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 Treatment
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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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Sleep Apnea Surgery
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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...
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Sleep Apnea Symptoms
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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 Machines
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Two types of positive airway pressure used to alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea are the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the effective noninvasive medical treatment to eliminate snoring and prevent sleep apnea. The CPAP...
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Central Sleep Apnea
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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 Masks
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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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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A Look at Snoring Treatments
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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If your own efforts to stop snoring do not help, consult your physician or an otolaryngologist — or a doctor for the ear, nose, and throat. If you choose to try a dental appliance as a snoring treatment, you will need to see a dentist...
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Sleep Disorders
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Eight hours of sleep per night is recommended by physicians to ensure proper mental and physical health. Most people do not get the complete eight hours due to various reasons, such as stress, anxiety, work pressure and, more seriously, sleep disorders. In clinical terms, an...
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A Review of Recommended Snoring Cures
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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There are probably as many cures for snoring as there are people complaining about someone snoring. Over 300 anti-snoring devices and cures have been registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Offices. They include the familiar remedy -– a tennis ball in a sock sewed...