Ask a Query - Sleep Apnea


	Home	About Us	Blog	Contact Us	Disclaimer	Privacy Policy

Advanced Search

Categories

Home Improvement (185)

Tell a friend


	Sleep Apnea - Treatments

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder involving recurrent uneasy and interrupted breathing during sleep, which leads to discontinuity in the patient’s sleep.

Mild to moderate sleep apnea lasts for about 10 – 30 seconds while in severe cases it may last up to 3 minutes. Estimates show that United States alone has over 12 million people suffering from this condition.

Sleep apnea can be of 2 types. Obstructive Sleep Apnea leads to recurrent hypoxemia with awakening while Central Sleep Apnea involves problems in the breathing centers in the brain.

Chief symptoms of sleep apnea are loud snoring, excessive sleeping in the daytime (hypersomnolence) and restless sleep. Besides these, it is also associated with choking or gasping during sleep, unrefreshing sleep, , poor judgment etc.

The aim of any treatment is to keep the airway patent and avert any pauses in the breathing. Numerous methods are used such as avoidance of alcohol and CNS depressants near bedtime, weight reduction and sleep posture modification.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) prevents collapse of throat by blowing pressurized air through the nose gently.

Oral or dental appliances can open the space behind the throat by relocating the lower jaw and the tongue.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a common procedure which broadens the airway by removing the surplus tissue such as tonsils, adenoids, uvula etc.

Laser-assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is opted to either remove a part of the soft palate, shorten the uvula or any other extra tissue in the pharynx, which may cause obstruction.

Tracheostomy is a method to make an opening in the trachea, which is also known as the windpipe. A tube is inserted through the opening and is opened only while sleeping so as to facilitate direct passage of air to the lungs.

If you or anyone you know suffers from similar complaints, it is advised to see a physician, as it is a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.

1 2 3 4 5

Related Articles:
	10 Tips to Sleep Well
	Recognize Sleep Apnea


Submit Your Comments
Email Address
Comments


	Home \| About Us \| Blog \| Contact Us \| Disclaimer
	© www.askaquery.com. All rights reserved.