Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by intermittent interruptions in breathing. The affected individual has to wake up every so often to breathe. Persons with this problem tend to snore and are excessively tired and drowsy during the day due to lack of good quality of sleep. There are a number of facts on obstructive sleep apnea Richardson TX residents need to understand if they are struggling with this problem.
The primary cause of this problem is excessive relaxation of muscles at the back of the throat during sleep. These muscles include those of the soft palate, the uvula and the tonsils. The effect of this relaxation is partial obstruction of the airway. Once in a while for about 10 or 20 seconds there is total obstruction and one has to wake up. Snoring is the effect of air entering through the constricted space.
There a number of risk factors that predispose to this condition exist. Excessive weight is one of the most significant and has been identified in about 50% of those affected. Fat deposits around the throat narrow the space of the upper airway. A large neck (a circumference more than seventeen inches in men and 16 inches in women) is another risk factor as this too narrows the upper airway. Others include hypertension, chronic nasal congestion, diabetes and being a smoker.
You need to be aware of the possible complications that may result from this condition. Cardiovascular problems may occur due to reduced oxygen concentration in blood. The result is a strain on the heart and an increase in blood pressure. Another common complication is daytime fatigue and reduced productivity. In children, it is a common cause of poor academic performance. Studies also show that there is an increased risk of surgical complications in people with this condition.
Changes in lifestyle are one way of dealing with the problem. For the mild cases, the recommended lifestyle changes include losing weight (for the obese and overweight), engaging in regular physical exercise and reducing alcohol intake. If you have chronic nasal congestion, using a nasal decongestant helps open up the upper airways. Ensure that you avoid sleeping on your back as much as possible.
If lifestyle changes fail to yield results, there are other treatment options that may be considered. Oral devices help to reduce the level of obstruction by maintaining an open upper airway. To get the device that is most suitable for your case, you will need to consult a dental specialist. In case, these too are ineffective, surgery is considered.
The type of operation that is performed is dependent on the cause. One of the commonly performed procedures is removal of loose tissues around the upper airway. A procedure known as Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, UPP, involves the removal of tonsils, the uvula and a part of the soft palate. This is considered a major operation that is done under general anesthesia. Jaw surgery is another alternative that helps increase the space behind the tongue.
Seeking treatment early will significantly improve the quality of life of a person with sleep apnea. The good news is that a majority of people notice improvement when they make lifestyle modifications. For those who do not, many other options exist.
The primary cause of this problem is excessive relaxation of muscles at the back of the throat during sleep. These muscles include those of the soft palate, the uvula and the tonsils. The effect of this relaxation is partial obstruction of the airway. Once in a while for about 10 or 20 seconds there is total obstruction and one has to wake up. Snoring is the effect of air entering through the constricted space.
There a number of risk factors that predispose to this condition exist. Excessive weight is one of the most significant and has been identified in about 50% of those affected. Fat deposits around the throat narrow the space of the upper airway. A large neck (a circumference more than seventeen inches in men and 16 inches in women) is another risk factor as this too narrows the upper airway. Others include hypertension, chronic nasal congestion, diabetes and being a smoker.
You need to be aware of the possible complications that may result from this condition. Cardiovascular problems may occur due to reduced oxygen concentration in blood. The result is a strain on the heart and an increase in blood pressure. Another common complication is daytime fatigue and reduced productivity. In children, it is a common cause of poor academic performance. Studies also show that there is an increased risk of surgical complications in people with this condition.
Changes in lifestyle are one way of dealing with the problem. For the mild cases, the recommended lifestyle changes include losing weight (for the obese and overweight), engaging in regular physical exercise and reducing alcohol intake. If you have chronic nasal congestion, using a nasal decongestant helps open up the upper airways. Ensure that you avoid sleeping on your back as much as possible.
If lifestyle changes fail to yield results, there are other treatment options that may be considered. Oral devices help to reduce the level of obstruction by maintaining an open upper airway. To get the device that is most suitable for your case, you will need to consult a dental specialist. In case, these too are ineffective, surgery is considered.
The type of operation that is performed is dependent on the cause. One of the commonly performed procedures is removal of loose tissues around the upper airway. A procedure known as Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, UPP, involves the removal of tonsils, the uvula and a part of the soft palate. This is considered a major operation that is done under general anesthesia. Jaw surgery is another alternative that helps increase the space behind the tongue.
Seeking treatment early will significantly improve the quality of life of a person with sleep apnea. The good news is that a majority of people notice improvement when they make lifestyle modifications. For those who do not, many other options exist.
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