Why does snoring and obstructive sleep apnea occur?
Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are conditions predominantly caused by the partial or complete blockage of the upper airway during sleep. This obstruction often occurs due to the relaxation of muscles in the throat and the tongue base, which can collapse and impede airflow.
When the airway is partially blocked, the sufferer often begins to snore. If the airway becomes completely blocked, episodes of the sufferer stopping their breathing can occur. This can prompt brief awakenings throughout the night as the body reacts to restore normal breath. Sleep patterns are disturbed and this can have a significant effect on overall health.
Obesity, anatomical abnormalities, nasal congestion, and certain lifestyle choices such as alcohol consumption and smoking can make sleep apnea more common.
What sort of tests will I have to investigate my obstructive sleep apnea?
A sleep study, or polysomnography, can track brain activity, eye movements, heart rate, oxygen levels, and respiratory patterns in your sleep. This will indicate to your doctor how frequently the sleep apnea episodes are occurring. Further diagnostic evaluation can involve a sleep nasendoscopy, where a flexible endoscope is used to examine the nasal passages and upper airway while you’re awake. This can help identify any structural abnormalities contributing to airway obstruction.
Additionally, a drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) might be employed. During a DISE, you’ll be sedated to mimic natural sleep conditions while an endoscope is used to observe the airway.
What treatments are available for snoring and sleep apnea?
Various treatment options are available to address snoring and sleep apnea issues, each catering to different underlying causes and severity levels. Palatoplasty and Pharyngoplasty are surgical procedures involving the adjusting excess tissue in the throat. The laser version of this procedure – laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) employs laser technology for a more precise removal of tissue. Trans Oral Robotic Surgery (TORS) represents a cutting-edge approach, enabling surgeons to remove obstructive tissues with enhanced precision and minimal invasiveness. Coblation, which utilises radiofrequency energy, also targets excess throat tissue and pharyngoplasty involves restructuring the throat to widen the airway.
As well as treatments that can provide a solution to sleep apnea, there are also a couple of devices. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy involves wearing a mask that delivers constant air pressure to keep the airway open during sleep. The hypoglossal nerve stimulator is an innovative device that stimulates the nerve controlling the tongue to prevent airway blockage during sleep. Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) are customised oral appliances designed to reposition the lower jaw and enlarge the airway.
Are the treatments for sleep apnea painful and how long is the recovery?
Generally, minimally invasive techniques such as laser technology, coblation, and radiofrequency treatments tend to be associated with less postoperative pain and a quicker recovery time, often ranging from a few days to a couple of weeks. More invasive surgeries like palatoplasty, pharyngoplasty, and TORS may result in a more extended recovery period, requiring several weeks for full recuperation. The use of mandibular advancement devices usually involves minimal to no pain, with an adjustment period rather than a recovery time.
