Snoring

overview

Snoring is nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact, 45% of adults snore now and then, and 25% of us are frequent snorers. Problems arise when snoring devolves into obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which occurs when there are several instances of breathing pauses greater than 10-seconds in duration while sleeping. Often these gaps in breathing are caused by upper airway narrowing and collapse.

Not surprisingly, the sleeper receives less oxygen in the blood which causes the heart to beat faster. Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious health problem that directly affects 26% of adults in the US between the ages of 30 and 70.

Acute Sinusitis
Acute Sinusitis

Snoring

overview

Snoring is nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact, 45% of adults snore now and then, and 25% of us are frequent snorers. Problems arise when snoring devolves into obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which occurs when there are several instances of breathing pauses greater than 10-seconds in duration while sleeping. Often these gaps in breathing are caused by upper airway narrowing and collapse.

Not surprisingly, the sleeper receives less oxygen in the blood which causes the heart to beat faster. Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious health problem that directly affects 26% of adults in the US between the ages of 30 and 70.

Acute sinusitis

Symptoms

An individual who suffers from sleep apnea often suffers from daytime fatigue which can have a negative impact on job performance. The condition can be dangerous for pilots, drivers, and equipment operators.

 

Other symptoms of sleep apnea include:

  • Witnessed episodes of breath pauses or apnea during sleep
  • Loud snoring
  • Sudden waking accompanied by a shortness of breath
  • Waking with a dry mouth or a sore throat
  • A morning headache
  • Difficulty staying asleep (Insomnia)
  • Daytime sleepiness or fatigue (Hypersomnia)
  • Attention problems and irritability

 

In addition, sleep apnea has been associated with the following medical conditions:

  • Hypertension
  • Heart Disease
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Stroke Risk
  • Depression
  • Cognitive health impairments

Causes

The rapid increase in obstructive sleep apnea over the past twenty years is directly related to the obesity crisis. People who are classified as obese are four times more likely to be diagnosed with OSA than those in a healthy weight range. Not all instances of sleep apnea are related to obesity.

Below is a list of the types of sleep apnea and common causes:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea:  Occurs when there is an anatomic blockage of airflow to the lungs resulting in decreased oxygen to the body. Examples of anatomic blockage include obesity, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, enlarged tongue, large soft palate, nasal polyps.
  • Central sleep apnea:  Happens when your breathing muscles do not receive the correct signals from your brain. Examples include medication side effects, stroke, congestive heart failure, end-stage renal disease, brain tumor, Arnold Chiari malformation.
  • Complex sleep apnea syndrome:  A combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
Acute sinusitis

Symptoms

An individual who suffers from sleep apnea often suffers from daytime fatigue which can have a negative impact on job performance. The condition can be dangerous for pilots, drivers, and equipment operators.

 

Other symptoms of sleep apnea include:

  • Witnessed episodes of breath pauses or apnea during sleep
  • Loud snoring
  • Sudden waking accompanied by a shortness of breath
  • Waking with a dry mouth or a sore throat
  • A morning headache
  • Difficulty staying asleep (Insomnia)
  • Daytime sleepiness or fatigue (Hypersomnia)
  • Attention problems and irritability

 

In addition, sleep apnea has been associated with the following medical conditions:

  • Hypertension
  • Heart Disease
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Stroke Risk
  • Depression
  • Cognitive health impairments

Causes

The rapid increase in obstructive sleep apnea over the past twenty years is directly related to the obesity crisis. People who are classified as obese are four times more likely to be diagnosed with OSA than those in a healthy weight range. Not all instances of sleep apnea are related to obesity.

Below is a list of the types of sleep apnea and common causes:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea:  Occurs when there is an anatomic blockage of airflow to the lungs resulting in decreased oxygen to the body. Examples of anatomic blockage include obesity, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, enlarged tongue, large soft palate, nasal polyps.
  • Central sleep apnea:  Happens when your breathing muscles do not receive the correct signals from your brain. Examples include medication side effects, stroke, congestive heart failure, end-stage renal disease, brain tumor, Arnold Chiari malformation.
  • Complex sleep apnea syndrome:  A combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

Diagnosis

While certain symptoms and exam findings may make one suspicious of sleep apnea, diagnosis is made by a sleep study. Sleep studies can be performed in a sleep lab or at home. A sleep study will determine the type of sleep apnea (obstructive vs. central) and severity (mild, moderate, or severe).

Diagnosis

While certain symptoms and exam findings may make one suspicious of sleep apnea, diagnosis is made by a sleep study. Sleep studies can be performed in a sleep lab or at home. A sleep study will determine the type of sleep apnea (obstructive vs. central) and severity (mild, moderate, or severe).

Available Treatments

Treatment is determined by several factors, including the type of sleep apnea, severity of sleep apnea, and exam findings that may be contributing to the source of obstruction. In order to fully understand what part of the airway is causing obstruction, sleep endoscopy in the operating room may be performed.

 

The following treatments may be discussed during your visit:

Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Therapy

This is the most common treatment of adult sleep apnea. A machine is used to provide pressure via a mask to the patient that stents the airway open, preventing the collapse of the airway.

 

Oral Appliance

A device is worn in the mouth that brings the jaw forward, reducing collapse of the back of the tongue into the airway. This is ideal for patients with mild sleep apnea.

 

Nasal Surgery

Nasal blockage due to anatomic irregularities can lead to poor quality of sleep and difficulty tolerating PAP therapy. Correction of nasal blockage can lead to better tolerance of PAP therapy.

Tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy

Removal of tonsils and adenoids.

 

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP, or UP3)

Along with the removal of the tonsils, removal of the uvula may be considered. Dissolvable stitches are then placed in the throat in order to enlarge the airway.

 

Tongue Base Reduction

Excess tissue at the back of the tongue, known as the base of the tongue, is removed in order to reduce the amount of tissue blocking the airway.

Midline Glossectomy

A portion of the midline of the tongue is removed in order to reduce the size of the tongue and its obstruction of the airway.

 

Hyoid Suspension

The hyoid bone is located in the neck, acting as a pulley system for muscles of the neck and throat region. Stitches can be placed around the hyoid bone that elevates its position in the neck and in turn expands and prevents collapse near the back of the tongue.

 

Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator

Many patients have a collapse of the back of the tongue which is the source of their airway obstruction. A simulator can be surgically placed around the nerve to the tongue that causes muscle contraction preventing the collapse of the tongue.

Available Treatments

Treatment is determined by several factors, including the type of sleep apnea, severity of sleep apnea, and exam findings that may be contributing to the source of obstruction. In order to fully understand what part of the airway is causing obstruction, sleep endoscopy in the operating room may be performed.

The following treatments may be discussed during your visit:

Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Therapy

This is the most common treatment of adult sleep apnea. A machine is used to provide pressure via a mask to the patient that stents the airway open, preventing the collapse of the airway.

 

Oral Appliance

A device is worn in the mouth that brings the jaw forward, reducing collapse of the back of the tongue into the airway. This is ideal for patients with mild sleep apnea.

 

Nasal Surgery

Nasal blockage due to anatomic irregularities can lead to poor quality of sleep and difficulty tolerating PAP therapy. Correction of nasal blockage can lead to better tolerance of PAP therapy.

 

Tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy

Removal of tonsils and adenoids.

 

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP, or UP3)

Along with the removal of the tonsils, removal of the uvula may be considered. Dissolvable stitches are then placed in the throat in order to enlarge the airway.

 

Tongue Base Reduction

Excess tissue at the back of the tongue, known as the base of the tongue, is removed in order to reduce the amount of tissue blocking the airway.

 

Midline Glossectomy

A portion of the midline of the tongue is removed in order to reduce the size of the tongue and its obstruction of the airway.

 

Hyoid Suspension

The hyoid bone is located in the neck, acting as a pulley system for muscles of the neck and throat region. Stitches can be placed around the hyoid bone that elevates its position in the neck and in turn expands and prevents collapse near the back of the tongue.

 

Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator

Many patients have a collapse of the back of the tongue which is the source of their airway obstruction. A simulator can be surgically placed around the nerve to the tongue that causes muscle contraction preventing the collapse of the tongue.

Services We Provide

 

  • Home sleep study
  • Sleep endoscopy
  • PAP therapy
  • Oral appliance
  • Nasal surgery
  • Tonsillectomy/Adenoidectomy
  • Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
  • Tongue base reduction
  • Midline glossectomy
  • Hyoid suspension

Services We Provide

  • Home sleep study
  • Sleep endoscopy
  • PAP therapy
  • Oral appliance
  • Nasal surgery
  • Tonsillectomy/Adenoidectomy
  • Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
  • Tongue base reduction
  • Midline glossectomy
  • Hyoid suspension

GET IN TOUCH

}

Mon, Tues, Thu   8 AM - 5 PM

Wednesday   8 AM - 4:30 PM

Friday   8 AM - 12 PM

OUR LOCATIONS

Ears

Nose

Throat

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

© 2020 Allied ENT Specialty Center. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy

site by blackwood