UPMC On Topic Transcript
Sleep Apnea: Many options offer relief
Ryan Soose, MD
Director, UPMC Division of Sleep Surgery
Sleep apnea is a very common, but potentially dangerous, condition that affects millions of Americans. Sleep apnea is characterized by a stopping or slowing of the breathing at night, which can occur hundreds of times throughout the night in many people, leading to disrupted sleep and increased stress on the cardiovascular system.
Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea that affects not only the patient, but also the spouse or other family members sleeping nearby.
Sleep apnea is generally a chronic condition. It’s much like high blood pressure or diabetes, where we manage it to improve the symptoms and to reduce the cardiovascular risks over time.
There are a number of treatment options, both medical and surgical, that are available, and we employ all of those techniques here at the Division of Sleep Surgery.
Evaluating Each Patient
At the Division of Sleep Surgery we provide a comprehensive sleep history and an examination. We really investigate thoroughly each patient’s unique sleep hygiene, their patterns during the day and night, when they go to sleep and what occurs throughout the night, as well as the effects of their sleep or lack thereof during the day.
Every patient that presents to the Division of Sleep Surgery is offered a thorough, yet comfortable, airway examination. Because sleep apnea is an upper airway condition, it is essential to thoroughly evaluate each patient’s unique upper airway anatomy. The endoscopic evaluation of each patient’s airway then allows us to customize and formulate a treatment plan specific to that patient.
A newer technology that we have available here is sleep endoscopy. Traditionally the airway evaluation is done awake and upright in the office. We can now do sleep endoscopy where we use sedation to recreate conditions that mimic sleep. This allows us to more accurately analyze the pattern and location of the breathing obstruction, and therefore better predict treatment options that would be successful.
Many treatment options
CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, is one of the most common solutions for many patients. This involves wearing a device during the night that expands and opens the airway by applying a positive pressure.
In patients who do not tolerate or cannot use other forms of medical therapy, but still require treatment, surgery can also provide a stand-alone treatment.
We now offer a number of advanced surgical techniques that aim to reconstruct and enlarge the airway, rather than traditional approaches which were aimed more at excising tissue. As a result of these newer treatment approaches, patients have less pain, less side effects, and a faster recovery.
Getting a better night’s sleep
Sleep apnea can have devastating effects on a patient’s daytime function, marriage or other relationships, and can increase the risk of other medical problems. But the good news is that we have a variety of both medical and surgical options to help these patients and help them get a better night’s sleep.
For more information, contact us at 1-855-UPMC-ENT.