Obstructive sleep apnea may be seen both in children and adults. Its major characteristic is the frequent interruption of sleep by the need to breathe. The affected individuals snore on most nights and tend to be drowsy during the day since they do not get good quality sleep at night. There are several things regarding obstructive sleep apnea Richardson TX residents need to know if they have this condition.
The main problem in this condition is excessive loose tissues at the back of the throat. These tissues are made up of muscles of the tonsils, soft palate and the uvula. These tissue relax excessively and cause partial or complete obstruction of the airway. It is when complete obstruction occurs that one awakes from sleep to breathe. Snoring is caused by the vibrating tissues as one breathes in and out.
A number of factors have been shown to predispose to this condition. Excessive weight is one of them. This risk factor is present in about 50% of those affected. It is believed to contribute to the problem due to increased fat deposition around the upper airway that subsequently leads to obstruction. Related to the same, is the possession of large neck (defined as a circumference of more than 16 inches in women and 17 inches in men). Others are chronic nasal congestion, smoking, hypertension and diabetes.
If the problem is not treated, it may result in a number of complications. Cardiovascular system complications are among those most commonly encountered. These are mainly caused by a reduced concentration of oxygen. There is a strain on the entire cardiovascular system that may cause hypertension, abnormal heart rhythms or heart failure. Another possible complication is increased daytime fatigue that affects productivity and academic performance.
Instituting lifestyle changes is one of the measures that are undertaken to deal with the problem. For mild cases, the beneficial changes include losing excess weight, taking part in physical exercise regularly and reducing on smoking and alcohol intake. For persons suffering from nasal congestion, the use of decongestants are usually helpful. Whenever possible, avoid sleeping on your back.
There are a number of other treatments that can be considered if the lifestyle changes fail to yield the desired results. There are a number of oral devices that have been specially designed to keep the throat open and to reduce the degree of obstruction. The device is chosen by a dental specialist. If this option fails, surgery is considered.
The type of surgery to be performed is determined by the underlying problem. Removal of loose, obstructive tissues helps increase the size of the upper airway. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPP) is an operation that involves the removal of part of the palate, the uvula and the tonsils. It is a major surgery that is performed under general anesthesia. Jaw surgery may be performed to increase the space behind the tongue. This is known as maxilla-mandibular advancement.
If you suspect that you are suffering from sleep apnea, make a point of seeing the doctor early. This will help you improve your quality of life as well as that of your loved ones. The fortunate thing about this condition is that lifestyle modifications usually have a great impact.
The main problem in this condition is excessive loose tissues at the back of the throat. These tissues are made up of muscles of the tonsils, soft palate and the uvula. These tissue relax excessively and cause partial or complete obstruction of the airway. It is when complete obstruction occurs that one awakes from sleep to breathe. Snoring is caused by the vibrating tissues as one breathes in and out.
A number of factors have been shown to predispose to this condition. Excessive weight is one of them. This risk factor is present in about 50% of those affected. It is believed to contribute to the problem due to increased fat deposition around the upper airway that subsequently leads to obstruction. Related to the same, is the possession of large neck (defined as a circumference of more than 16 inches in women and 17 inches in men). Others are chronic nasal congestion, smoking, hypertension and diabetes.
If the problem is not treated, it may result in a number of complications. Cardiovascular system complications are among those most commonly encountered. These are mainly caused by a reduced concentration of oxygen. There is a strain on the entire cardiovascular system that may cause hypertension, abnormal heart rhythms or heart failure. Another possible complication is increased daytime fatigue that affects productivity and academic performance.
Instituting lifestyle changes is one of the measures that are undertaken to deal with the problem. For mild cases, the beneficial changes include losing excess weight, taking part in physical exercise regularly and reducing on smoking and alcohol intake. For persons suffering from nasal congestion, the use of decongestants are usually helpful. Whenever possible, avoid sleeping on your back.
There are a number of other treatments that can be considered if the lifestyle changes fail to yield the desired results. There are a number of oral devices that have been specially designed to keep the throat open and to reduce the degree of obstruction. The device is chosen by a dental specialist. If this option fails, surgery is considered.
The type of surgery to be performed is determined by the underlying problem. Removal of loose, obstructive tissues helps increase the size of the upper airway. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPP) is an operation that involves the removal of part of the palate, the uvula and the tonsils. It is a major surgery that is performed under general anesthesia. Jaw surgery may be performed to increase the space behind the tongue. This is known as maxilla-mandibular advancement.
If you suspect that you are suffering from sleep apnea, make a point of seeing the doctor early. This will help you improve your quality of life as well as that of your loved ones. The fortunate thing about this condition is that lifestyle modifications usually have a great impact.
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To seek treatment for obstructive sleep apnea Richardson TX dental professionals urge you to refer to the recommended clinic. Make an appointment online using this website http://dentalandbeyond.com.
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