Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Sleep apnea, also know as sleep disordered breathing is a common and life threatening condition. There is a spectrum of sleep disordered breathing ranging from simple snoring to actual pause in breathing. Most people are aware of excessive daytime tiredness but are unaware that they may have Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
People who suffer with OSA are excessively tired because they are unable to obtain a good night sleep. When a patient obstructs while sleep their oxygen levels drop awakening the patient usually with an abrupt snort or startle. The obstructive part of OSA can be located in the nose, with the tongue or soft palate. The obstruction prevents air flow while sleeping leading to a drop in oxygen saturation. Excessive daytime tiredness or lack of concentration may be person.s only symptoms of a potentially fatal disease.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea puts a person at risk for heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, depression and sudden death.
Complete the following questionnaire:
Use the following scale to choose the most appropriate number for each situation:
0 = would never doze or sleep.
1 = slight chance of dozing or sleeping
2 = moderate chance of dozing or sleeping
3 = high chance of dozing or sleeping
Situation
Sitting and reading
Watching TV
Sitting inactive in a public place
Being a passenger in a motor vehicle for an hour or more
Lying down in the afternoon
Sitting and talking to someone
Sitting quietly after lunch (no alcohol)
Stopped for a few minutes in traffic while driving
There are different severities of OSA and both surgical and non-surgical treatments available. A consultation begins with a thorough review of your medical history, medications and lifestyle. This is followed by a physical examination as well as radiographic evaluation. A sleep study is usually obtained to determine the severity of the Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Treatment
There are several treatment options available. As with all disease processes lifestyle modifications including diet, exercise and maintaining an ideal body weight are paramount is successfully treating sleep apnea. Noninvasive treatments include oral appliances to reposition the lower jaw and CPAP. CPAP is a machine used at night took keep the airway open. Surgical treatments of OSA include removing excess tissue of the soft palate (UPPP), moving the base of the tongue forward (Genioglossus advancement) and moving the both the upper and lower jaw forward (Maxillomandibular advancement).
Obstructive Sleep Apnea affects more and more individuals each year and has a serious effect on a person.s quality of life. For more information please contact us.
