The most common variety of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep
apnea (OSA), a condition where blockages in the airway momentarily stop
breathing during sleep. If you have this disorder, you and your doctor can
discuss treatment options that address the severity and specific circumstances
of your health. In very serious cases, sleep apnea surgery
is a potential option.
Some sleep apnea
treatments use medication, an oral appliance or other methods to relieve
the symptoms of sleep apnea. The goal of surgery procedures is to increase the
size of the airway and reduce the presence of obstructions permanently.
Sleep apnea surgeries can be conducted on parts of the
airway such as:
- Tonsils
- Tongue
- Soft palate
- Uvula
- Adenoids
- Jaw
- Throat tissue
While sleep apnea surgery can offer permanent relief for
breathing problems during sleep, surgery is a much more intensive, invasive
treatment method than many other remedies, sometimes requiring a lengthy
recovery period.
Most doctors will recommend trying a less drastic approach
before surgery. Your sleep doctor will work closely with you to determine the
cause of your apnea and initial treatment options that suit your condition. If
necessary, you can discuss the potential benefits of sleep apnea surgery if
other treatments are ineffective.
If you’d like more information about sleep apnea surgery,
please contact a sleep physician in your area or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK)
today to schedule your initial consultation.