Sleep

A sleep study (which can be done at home or in the lab) will help diagnose patients with OSA. However, it should be noted that home sleep studies are typically less accurate than sleep studies done in the lab. There are other sleep-tracking devices available (e.g., smartwatches) that are not reliable in diagnosing or ruling out OSA.  

Early recognition and treatment of sleep apnea are important 

Patients with untreated OSA may not only feel tired and fatigued but more importantly, may risk significant complications as a result of upper airway obstruction resulting in sometimes dangerously low blood oxygen levels overnight. 

Untreated OSA is known to lead to the following complications:

• High blood pressure
• Heart attacks
• Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia)
• Stroke
• Depression
• Increased risk of car accidents
• Increased risk of early death (up to 15 years sooner)

Treatment of Snoring and OSA 

SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR SNORING
Snoring is caused by throat tissue vibration. Opening the nasal passage or correcting a deviated septum, and removing excess tissue such as adenoids or tonsils can often help improve snoring.  In some cases, shortening (palatoplasty) or stiffening (radiofrequency therapy) of the soft palate must be considered to improve snoring.

NON-SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR OSA
CPAP and BiPAP - This is the most common treatment for OSA and consists of either continuous or bi-level positive pressure (CPAP/ BiPAP), which is delivered via face or nasal mask to stent the upper airway passage open while asleep.  If used as instructed, this therapy is very effective. However, around 50% of OSA patients have trouble using this therapy due to mask-related discomfort or other issues.

Oral Appliance - For patients with mild or moderate OSA, an oral appliance can be an effective therapy option. This custom-made appliance stabilizes the lower jaw in a more forward position, which moves the tongue and the attached soft tissue out of the way so that patients can breathe better at night.

Adjunct Therapy - Other treatment alternatives in the management of OSA include weight loss, positional therapy with special pillows, and body positional devices, which can sometimes lead to significant improvement of OSA. Other lifestyle changes include smoking cessation, alcohol avoidance, and sleep hygiene.  Correction of nasal obstruction (e.g., decongesting sprays, breath-rite strips, nasal surgery) can sometimes help with CPAP compliance.

SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR OSA
Over 50% of patients are not able to tolerate or adhere to CPAP and are at risk to develop other medical conditions.  The success of sleep surgery largely depends on the correct identification of anatomical structures responsible for OSA. In some cases, more than one area of collapse can be found, which may include soft palate, tonsils, or base of tongue.

Patients who cannot tolerate CPAP should not give up. There are many other options available and it is crucial to consult with an experienced upper airway surgeon, such as ​Dr. Weidenbecher, who will develop a tailored treatment plan for patients. The end goal is always significant improvement of the OSA with patients experiencing restful sleep. In some cases, this means that more than one surgery might be needed to get there, or surgery might be combined with some other non-surgical treatment modalities.

Dr. Weidenbecher has shown to have high success rates in helping patients improve their OSA and he is able to offer sleep surgery to approximately 90% of patients looking for alternative OSA treatment options.