Five Options For Apnea Sleep Surgery

Sleep apnea is a dangerous and even life-threatening syndrome. If you have a really severe case, your doctor may recommend surgery. This article provides important information about the five surgical procedures used to treat severe sleep apnea. Be sure to read through to the end of this article so you will not miss any of this important information.

The primary objective

Apnea sleep surgery is often used to alleviate the more severe symptoms associated with sleep apnea when apnea therapies fail. The primary objective of surgery is to enlarge or clear the airways for easier breathing. Surgeons complete this process by removing excess tissues that either block or vibrate within the airway.

There are several surgical procedures available depending on each individual's symptoms and their underlying health problems. Surgical procedures used to treat sleep apnea include:

* A nasal procedure used to straighten a deviated septum, which is a crooked partition between the two nostrils.

* Removal of enlarged adenoids and tonsils located at the rear of the throat.

* Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty - is a procedure used to eliminate tissues from vibrating in the throat, which cause snoring and lead to sleep apnea. Removal of several soft tissues during this procedure, which may include the adenoids, tonsils, tissues located in the top of the throat and rear of the mouth will facilitate easier breathing during sleep.

* Maxillomandibular advancement - a procedure typically performed by both an orthodontist and oral surgeon together. This procedure moves both the upper and lower jawbones forward and away from the remaining facial bones, which opens up a larger space behind the soft palate and tongue allowing better airflow when sleeping.

* Tracheotomy - is a procedure used as a last effort when treating severe apnea and only after all other treatments have failed. During a tracheotomy, a plastic or metal tube inserted into an opening in the neck allows air to flow in and out of the lungs when left open. The tubing remains closed during the day and opened at night to allow airflow to the lungs, bypassing any obstruction higher up in the throat.

If you have sleep apnea and have tried different therapies to no avail, consult with your physician to determine if apnea sleep surgery may be an option for you.