OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious and even life-threatening condition that is often associated with heart attack, strokes, irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, heart disease and decreased libido. As well, OSA causes daytime drowsiness that can result in serious accidents, lost productivity and avoidable relationship problems.
Unfortunately, people who suffer from OSA are usually not aware they have a problem in the first place.
If someone close to you has spoken about your loud snoring and has noticed that you often wake up abruptly gasping for air during the night, you should consult your oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Maxillo 3 Lacs as soon as you can.
What are the signs of OSA?
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Loud snoring
- Breathing cessation observed by another person
- Awakening due to gasping of air
- Dry mouth on awakening
- Memory loss
- Mood alterations
- Depression
- Short term memory loss
- Reduced libido
What is the physiological process behind sleep apnea?
When the breathing stops (apnea) impulses from the brain are sent to wake the person just enough to restart the breathing process. Sleep apnea is generally defined as the presence of more than 30 apneas during a seven-hour sleep. In severe cases, periods, when a person doesn’t breathe, may last for as long as 60 to 90 seconds and may recur up to 500 times a night. Since people with sleep apnea don’t always completely wake up during these apneas, they are very rarely aware of their sleeping disorder and their condition can remain undiagnosed for long periods of time, even a lifetime.
What are the most common risk factors?
- Large neck
- Small jaw
- Male
- Family history of sleep apnea
- Narrow airway
- Chronic nasal congestion
- Overweight
Understanding sleep apnea
There are two main types of sleep apnea:
1. Central apnea
Apnea which occurs when the brain stops sending important signals to the breathing muscles
2. Obstructive sleep apnea
This occurs when air doesn’t flow through the nose, mouth or throat when the brain is still trying to breathe. Obstructive sleep apnea is far more prevalent and easily treatable by oral and maxillofacial surgeons like Dr. El-Hakim, Dr. Makhoul and Dr. Gigliotti.
Common signs of obstructive sleep apnea can include severe early morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, and insomnia. Fortunately, M3L oral and maxillofacial surgeons are equipped with the necessary technology and expertise to treat sleep apnea in several different ways.
What are some of the consequences of sleep apnea?
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Congestive heart failure
- Arrhythmia
- Stroke
Common signs of obstructive sleep apnea can include severe early morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, and insomnia. Fortunately, M3L oral and maxillofacial surgeons are equipped with the necessary technology and expertise to treat sleep apnea in several different ways.
What are some of the consequences of sleep apnea?
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Congestive heart failure
- Arrhythmia
- Stroke
How do you diagnose sleep apnea?
OSA is usually diagnosed with a sleep study done at home or at a sleep center. A sleep study called polysomnography records brain waves, the oxygen level in your blood, heart rate, eye movement, sleep position, blood pressure and oral-nasal airflow. A respiratory distress index (RDI) will be obtained and help classify the OSA into mild, moderate or severe.
Treatments for sleep apnea at Maxillo 3 Lacs
The surgical procedures are performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia.
Your M3L oral and maxillofacial surgeons can perform the following surgical procedures:
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
This procedure shortens and stiffens the soft palate by partially removing the uvula and reducing the edge of the soft palate. - Genioglossus Advancement (GGA)
This procedure tightens the front tongue tendon, reducing the degree of tongue displacement into the throat. This operation is often performed in conjunction with at least one other procedure, such as UPPP or hyoid suspension. - Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA)
This procedure surgically moves the upper and lower jaws forward along with the soft tissues of the tongue and palate, opening the upper airway. For some patients, MMA is the only technique that can create the necessary air passageway.
Implantology and Maxillofacial Surgery Center
We accept new patients without a referral
65 Boulevard de la Cité-des-Jeunes
Suite 130, Vaudreuil-Dorion,
Quebec J7V 8C1