OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE(CPAP) TREATMENT

Currently, this is the primary treatment for people withmoderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. The devicehas a small air blower unit connected by a flexible hose toa cushioned plastic mask that covers your nose or noseand mouth. The unit blows air through the hose and maskinto your nose and throat to keep the air passage openduring sleep.

SNORING AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

ORAL APPLIANCE THERAPY

An oral appliance is a small acrylic device that fits over the upper and lower teeth (similar to an orthodontic retainer or mouth guard).This device slightly advances the lowerjaw , moving the base of the tongue forward to open the airway. This improves breathing and reduces snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The appliance is customizedfor each patient by a dentist experienced in the treatmentof snoring and OSA. This therapy is effective for treating people with snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (and certain cases of severe OSA) and is usually well-tolerated by patients

SURGERY

Surgery is usually targeted at the site of the airway obstruction.There are several surgical approaches that range fromtreatments of the soft palate or uvula to advancement of theupper and lower jaw.One of the surgical procedures for treating snoring is theUvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). This technique is done inthe hospital and removes all of the uvula and about one-third ofthe soft palate. It requires about two weeks of healing time, and itcan be effective in treating people with snoring and mild sleepapnea. It is less effective in treating moderate or severe sleepapnea. A variation of this technique uses a laser and is done inthe office with local anesthesia.Inspire therapyis an implanted pacemaker-type device thatassesses your breathing pattern and delivers a gentle stimulationto key airway muscles which keeps the airway open. Thistherapy is considered when CPAP and/or oral appliance therapyare noteffective or appropriate for patients with moderate orsevere obstructive sleep apnea.Telegnathic surgeryis jaw surgery that advances the upper andlower jaw to open the airway and manage significant apneaconditions that have not been effectively managed by non-surgical treatments. This treatment can be effective for moderateor severe sleep apnea.