All About Sleep Apnea: Facts and Treatments

Have you been told that you're a frequent or loud snorer? Or do you find yourself always waking up, feeling short of breath, choking, or gasping for air? Take heed, because these are possible symptoms of a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea.

If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to potentially serious health complications, such as heart attack, stroke, hypertension, to name a few.

Discussed below are some of the important facts about sleep apnea as well as the treatment options available for it.

Facts About Sleep Apnea

Here are the facts worth knowing about sleep apnea, and why it is worth acting on promptly if you suspect you have it.

Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders in the United States, affecting people of all ages, particularly men.

There are two types. In obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, the upper airway muscles relax so far that they block normal breathing. In central sleep apnea, or CSA, the airway is open but the brain fails to send the signal to breathe.

These breathing disturbances wreck sleep quality and cut into the body's oxygen supply. Over time that can lead to serious complications, including high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and cardiac arrest.

Obstructive sleep apnea can sometimes be prevented. Keeping a healthy weight helps, as does quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and steering clear of sedatives and tranquilizers. Each one lowers your risk.

Treatment for Sleep Apnea

If you suspect sleep apnea, see an ENT, ideally one who specializes in sleep medicine. A thorough evaluation identifies what is causing it, and treatment usually draws on one or more of the following approaches.

1. Lifestyle Recommendations

Obstructive sleep apnea can sometimes be treated successfully with lifestyle strategies, such as the following:

• Losing excess body weight
• Giving up smoking
• Avoiding alcohol, sedatives, and sleeping pills
• Changing sleep position – sleeping on your side instead of your back

2. Nonsurgical Treatment

The most common treatment for sleep apnea is the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. The machine creates gentle air pressure and delivers a stream of oxygenated air through a mask, which you have to wear during sleep, to keep your airway open and help you breathe normally.

If your doctor determines your sleep apnea is caused by a chronic sinus disorder or nasal allergies, they will likely prescribe medications (e.g., nasal sprays, oral steroids, and decongestants) to address the problem.

3. Surgery

If you can't tolerate CPAP or you have tried all conservative interventions but without success, your sleep medicine specialist will likely recommend surgery to address your problem altogether.

The following are some of the available surgical options for sleep apnea.

• Inspire Therapy – Inspire therapy is typically recommended for moderate-to-severe sleep apnea and for patients unable to use CPAP. It is an FDA-approved implantable device that delivers mild stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve (which controls tongue movement) to help keep the tongue in a position that allows the airways to remain open during sleep. The device only works while sleeping.
• Tissue Removal Surgery – Common tissue removal surgeries include tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, which involve removal of the tonsils and adenoids, respectively; or a uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) to taking out the excess tissue in the back of your throat.
• Nasal Surgery – Nasal surgery encompasses a number of procedures done to remove obstructions in the nasal cavities.
• Turbinate Reduction – This is a minimally invasive, endoscopic procedure to reduce chronic nasal congestion caused by enlarged turbinates (tissue that projects from the side wall of your nose into your nasal cavity).
• Nasal Polypectomy – This is done to remove nasal polyps, which are a common culprit in chronic nasal congestion and sinus infections.
• Septoplasty – This is performed to straighten the nasal septum (the dividing wall between your nasal passages), thereby improving breathing.

Other surgeries to treat sleep apnea may include jaw repositioning, radiofrequency tongue base reduction, surgery to reposition the tongue and other soft tissues as well as nerve stimulation to control tongue movement.