Surgery

Is surgery an option for your sleep apnea? Dr. Anna Lee gives some suggestions of things you should consider before surgery.

It is an option after other treatments have failed. The goal of the surgery for sleep apnea is to enlarge the airway through the nose or throat that may be causing the snoring or blocking the upper airway passages.  Surgical options may include:

·       tissue removal from the rear of the mouth and top of the throat, removal of tonsils & adenoids

·       jaw repositioning

·       implants

·       creating a new air passageway (tracheostomy)

For more information on sleep apnea options before surgery contact Dr. Lee & her team today!

How is Sleep Apnea diagnosed?

Leaving sleep apnea undiagnosed can cause disruptions to your life. Not only can it cause problems with attention to detail, loss of job, depression and anger. When sleep apnea is left untreated it can lead to death. If you or someone you love is suffering from sleep apnea contact Dr. Lee and her team today for help.

Medical doctors diagnose sleep apnea based on medical and family histories, a physical exam and sleep study results. The physician decides whether the patient needs to be treated by a sleep specialist.

There are 2 sleep tests to detect sleep apnea:

·      Nocturnal Polysomnography-it is performed at sleep centers or sleep labs.  The patient is hooked up to equipment that monitors the heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while the patient is sleeping.

·      Home Sleep Test-the patient is provided with simplified tests to be used at home to diagnose sleep apnea. These tests involve measuring the heart rate, blood oxygen level, airflow and breathing patterns while the patient is sleeping.

For more information on sleep apnea contact Dr. Anna Lee and her team today.