METHODS OF TREATMENT FOR SNORING AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

When the airflow into the lungs is reduced, the brain, heart and other organs are deprived of oxygen. When the heart does not receive sufficient oxygen, it may slow down, beat irregularly or stop. People with upper airway obstruction seldom experience deep, restful sleep (delta wave sleep). Since growth hormone is secreted in delta sleep, children's growth can be seriously affected. Upper airway obstruction in children can seriously alter growth and jaw development placing these children at risk of sleep apnea later in life. Studies have shown most adults with sleep apnea have a history since childhood of untreated upper airway obstruction.

Many of the problems associated with snoring or upper airway obstruction do not appear until a person lies down. When a person reclines, an alteration in blood circulation occurs, particularly in the lungs. During sleep, the muscles relax, altering muscle tone, especially in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

People with a mild case of chronic snoring can benefit from diet and daily exercise since overweight contributes to snoring problems. In addition, it would be wise to avoid tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antihistamines and alcohol before bedtime. A light evening meal can help relax a person. Avoid physical exhaustion before retiring. If snoring persists, seek professional advice. If there is a problem with heavy, obnoxious snoring, daytime fatigue or irregular breathing during sleep, seek professional help at once from a sleep disorder specialist... a serious problem exists.

There are more than 300 patented devices for treating snoring problems; most are ineffective. Today acceptable treatment for obstructive sleep apnea includes: jaw-repositioning devices, surgery to the soft palate and throat, jaw surgery, nasal surgery, nasal CPCP (a device for pumping air through the nose into the lungs while sleeping), tracheostomy (a small incision in the windpipe into which a canula is inserted and corked. At night the cork is removed for breathing purposes by bypassing the nose and mouth).

METHODS OF TREATMENT FOR SNORING AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Currently the accepted methods of treatment for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are: tracheostomy, nasal CPAP, orthognathic surgery, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, jaw-repositioning orthopedics and intranasal surgery.

TRACHEOSTOMY

A small hole is cut into the windpipe and a canula inserted and corked. At night the cork is removed for breathing purposes by bypassing the nose and mouth. This method is use only in emergency situations or in those who cannot or will not tolerate any of the other forms of treatment.

NASAL CPAP

This is an air-pumping machine that pumps moist air through the nose to keep the airway open. A mask is worn over the nose at night to assist the flow of air through the nose into the lungs. This is a very effective treatment method. Unfortunately, many people cannot tolerate having a mask over their noses throughout the night.

ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY

This is a surgical procedure (usually in conjunction with orthodontic treatment) in which the surgeon repositions the jaws sufficiently to open the posterior airway. For some people this is the best all around solution since it can produce very dramatic facial skeletal changes while eliminating the sleep apnea and snoring problem.

UVULOPALOPHARYNGOPLASTY (UPPP)

UPPP is a surgical procedure carried out by an ear, nose and throat physician. The soft palate, tonsils and other obstructive tissues are surgically re-sected to open the airway. UPPP has not proven to be as consistently effective as the other methods.

JAW-REPOSITIONING ORTHOPEDICS

This non-surgical technique reposition the lower jaw and tongue in order to open the airway during sleep utilizing an appliance worn in the mouth. This is the most consistently effective non-surgical treatment available. The treatment device uses the teeth as the vehicle for moving the lower jaw forward to open and maintain a patent airway during sleep.

It may be recommended that you consider a sleep test by one of the local sleep centers to fully diagnosis your disorder. Please read Helping Yourself Help Yourself With Your Snoring and Sleep Apnea Problem. Ability to breathe well through one's nose, particularly while asleep, is important to healthy breathing and inability to breathe well through the nose is related to sleep disorders in many people. If poor nasal breathing appears to be associated with your sleep disorder, we may recommend that you see an ear, nose and throat specialist. This is particularly important if you are using CPAP.

People who snore and do not have sleep apnea can have their problem controlled. Snoring can be treated. Help is available as evidenced by the following letters from two of the hundreds of people treated with a breathing-assist device worn in the mouth at night.