Discover Surgical And Non-surgical Sleep Apnea Treatments

By Author: Stanley Donaldson
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Millions of people all over the world suffer from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that requires treatment. Many people have heard of sleep apnea surgery but don’t know enough about these operations or non-surgical options to treat their condition. There are some sleep centers in Dallas that offer help for people with sleep apnea. Whether one lives in or wishes to travel to Dallas for help, or would like to consider sleep clinics elsewhere, it’s important to investigate options to treat this disorder.

Sleep apnea can be a life-threatening condition. The most common form of the condition, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) occurs when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses and blocks the airway during sleep. Each time this happens (and it can happen dozens of times per night to sleep apnea sufferers) a person is put at risk for serious consequences such as stroke and heart attack. That’s why it’s imperative that people take action to discover their options for dealing with their condition.

Before exploring OSA surgery and other options in detail, the sleep apnea patient usually meets ...
... with sleep experts to discuss his or her situation. Sleep centers customize the sleep apnea treatment to each individual, so patients can be assured that their particular case will be handled in a way that works best for them. Often this treatment will begin with an interview of the patient and some testing to determine the extent of the OSA. Once these initial findings have been completed then discussion of remediation options can commence.

Surgery is one method of correcting the issues that cause OSA. There are two main types of surgery for OSA; Maxillomandibular Advancement Surgery and Tongue and Hyoid Suspension. Maxillomandibular Advancement Surgery (MMA) involves enlarging the airway by moving the upper and lower jaw forward. Obstruction is then less likely when the upper and lower jaws are forward of the other facial bones. This inpatient procedure is not as complicated as it sounds and offers a good long term solution with many sleep experts reporting a success rate of near 90%.

The second form of OSA surgery is Tongue and Hyoid Suspension. This surgery keeps the airway open by preventing the tongue from blocking the airway. The procedure involves a small incision, implantation of a titanium screw and some small sutures to complete the process. With an over 78% success rate, this sleep apnea solution may be the right choice for some patients.

Surgery isn’t always the right solution for all sleep apnea sufferers. Some sleep centers will recommend that patients wear an oral appliance when sleeping to prevent sleep apnea symptoms. This oral appliance is worn in a similar manner to a sports mouth guard. It can be adjusted and allows the airway to remain open during sleep. Some patients use these oral appliances in conjunction with other therapies to help alleviate sleep apnea problems.

Sleep apnea issues cause life-threatening problems not just sleep disruptions. It’s important for people who suffer from this condition to check with their doctor. Doctors can refer patients to sleep experts who can help people choose the right sleep apnea treatment. Some cities and towns don’t have sleep centers nearby so a quick check online will uncover where the nearest sleep clinic is located. While some people may see sleep apnea as merely an annoyance, it is a serious condition that should be treated to protect the individual’s overall health.

Stanley Donaldson is a medical professional who writes about sleep and sleep experts in Dallas. If you want more info about sleep clinic Dallas and sleep apnea surgery, go to our sleep clinic page to learn more.