Sleep Disorders

Most people, children and adults, have problems with getting a good night's sleep from time to time. To help get a good night's sleep, it is often recommended that you exercise on a regular basis, maintain a regular sleeping schedule, avoid stimulants such as caffeine before bed, avoid alcohol and a large meal before bed and establish a comfortable sleeping environment.

For some people, lack of restful sleep is a constant and potentially dangerous problem. People may have a medical condition known as a sleep disorder. A sleep disorder interferes with the body's ability to sleep normally. For many people, it is a chronic, nightly problem that can influence daytime behavior. Activities at work and school, and relationships with loved ones can be seriously affected. A sleep disorder can worsen already existing medical conditions and lead to new medical problems.

If a patient finds it is disrupting to their life and seek medical help, a sleep study may be ordered to determine the severity of the sleep disorder.

The following are some examples of SLEEP DISORDERS:

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which the airway does not fully open during sleep. This can lead to loud snoring and lapses in breathing that can occur hundreds of times a night. This breathing interruption can lead to irregular heartbeats and high blood pressure. In addition a person may be sleepy enough to fall asleep while driving causing accidents or may have poor memory and unexplained changes in behavior.

   Though it can be easily diagnosed in a sleep lab, many people with obstructive sleep apnea are not aware that they have a sleep disorder. A family member often informs the health care provider of a person's sleep history or daytime symptoms. This leads to an evaluation of a possible sleep disorder.

2. Insomnia - Insomnia refers to the person's inability to "fall asleep" and/or to "stay asleep" long enough to feel rested. It is the most common of all sleep-related complaints and may be the main symptom for a variety of sleep disorders.
3. Narcolepsy - Narcolepsy is fortunately relatively uncommon. A person with narcolepsy may experience sleep episodes lasting seconds to minutes that occur at unusual times during the day. These periods of sleep may occur while reading, watching television or driving. Some people with narcolepsy may experience cataplexy as well. Cataplexy is the sudden loss of muscle tone in the face or extremities and is triggered by emotions, such as laughter, anger or surprise.
4. Restless Leg Disorder - Restless leg disorder is a condition that usually affects a person during the transition from wakefulness to sleep. It is described as a restless, uncomfortable feeling in the lower legs. Restless leg syndrome can make it very difficult for a person to fall asleep.
5. Periodic Limb Movement Disorder - Periodic limb movement disorder is a condition that causes movement of the legs and/or arms during sleep. These movements may cause frequent, brief interruptions of sleep.

WHAT IS A SLEEP STUDY?

A Sleep Study is a painless session that monitors your sleep through the night and is usually performed in a sleep lab or at home. During a sleep study breathing, heart rate, oxygen level, eye movement and brain waves are monitored. A sleep study can help your health care provider make a comprehensive diagnosis and will allow him/her to make recommendations for the treatment of your sleep problem.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT?

Overweight patients are encouraged to LOSE WEIGHT which can help with ANY treatment the may undergo. Treatment varies with the diagnosis of the specific sleep disorder. It can be as simple as a change in sleep position or it may include the use of medication, use of CPAP or the need for surgery. Surgery may include Nasal breathing enhancement, Palate stiffening, Removal of Tonsils, Reduction of the Base of Tongue or Advancement of the Tongue and Voice Box (Repose Base of Tongue/Hyoid Suspension). A common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea includes the use of a machine called CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). The CPAP delivers air pressure into the airway to keep the airways open during sleep. Other treatments such as the PILLAR procedure is a minimally invastive technique with a great success rate. Small woven implants are placed into the muscle of the soft palette.

WHAT CAUSES SNORING?

The noisy sounds of snoring occur when the airflow through the passages at the back of the mouth and throat causes instability in the soft palate tissue. The instability causes these tissues to vibrate, which results in snoring sounds.

Several parts of the airway may contribute to snoring: nasal passages, uvula, tongue and soft palate. If you snore, it is likely that the palate is a contributor. It is believed that in 70% of cases the palate is a primary contributor to snoring. Snoring can also affect bedroom harmony and may cause daytime sleepiness and irritability. And it is a common problem.

Consider these statistics:

• 80% of snoring couples sleep apart.
• The average non-snoring partner of a snorer loses about an hour of sleep each night.
• Approximately 45% of adults snore at least occasionally, and 25% are habitual snorers.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF SURGICAL PROCEDURES OFFERED IN YOUR OFFICE?

1. NASAL SURGERY: At times to be a candidate for CPAP which is delivered through the nostrils, nasal surgery is necessary to open the passages. For successful treatment, nasal breathing is important with your mouth closed. With your mouth closed it takes less effort to breath diminishing the "vacuum effect" of the negative pressure to inhale the air and it serves as an anchor of your tongue so it does not fall back in your throat causing a blockage.

1. RADIOFREQUENCY TURBINATE REDUCTION
2. SEPTOPLASTY TO STRAIGHTEN THE DIVIDER IN THE NOSE

2. PALATE SURGERY

1. Pillar Implants: to stabilize the palate

   

2. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: Removal of part of the palate and Uvula increasing the space

3. TONSILLECTOMY - Removal of the tonsils using standard method or coblation.

4. REPOSE BASE OF TONGUE SURGERY: