Everything You Need to Know About Surgery for Sleep Apnea
If you suffer from sleep apnea, you should already be familiar with CPAP breathing machines and sleep apnea mouthpieces. The main problem with these devices is that people stop using them because of their inconvenience and discomfort. For this reason, you might be looking into surgery for sleep apnea.
Surgery for sleep apnea becomes necessary when the condition begins to create a negative impact on your quality of life. The impact may be relatively minor, such as a sore throat, or it can be more serious like as constant and severe fatigue that prevents the fulfillment of daily obligations.
Constant fatigue can subject you to unforeseen dangers, such as dozing off while driving or working with heavy machinery. A decreased level of alertness due to a lack of sleep is not something that you should be forced to live with.
If you have already tried less invasive methods such as airway positioning and CPAP devices without improvement, it may be time to consider surgery for sleep apnea.
There are many different types of surgical procedures that may be performed to help alleviate your condition. One of the most common procedures is called an Uvulopalatopharyngopsty, which consists of the removal of some of the soft tissue in your palate, including your uvula. Often, your tonsils will also be removed at the same time to help make your airway wider. A wider airway will help decrease some of the obstruction that promotes this sleep disorder.
Nasal surgery is another option that may help put an end to your sleep disorder. If you have narrow nasal passages or a deviated septum, you can have a surgical procedure done to decrease or eliminate these obstructions completely, which may help relieve your symptoms. You will be asleep during these surgical procedures and will not feel any pain during the surgery.
As with most health care procedures, there is no guarantee of permanent termination of sleep apnea after surgery. While there is a significant chance of immediate improvement, there are no guarantees. Your physician will give you a full examination and decide which type of surgery has the best chance to benefit you the most and what the chances of a successful surgical procedure are in your specific case.
Any medical procedure that requires sedation may carry serious risks. Although rare, serious complications may occur during or after surgery. Minor complications that may be observed following surgery include minor bleeding, throat or nasal irritation, infection, throat pain and swelling. These are temporary and will usually begin to diminish within the first 48 hours following surgery.
As always, you should consult your doctor for medical advice if you are considering surgery for sleep apnea.
Read more about sleep apnea surgery and discover the alternative options to cure sleep apnea.
Processing your request, Please wait....
