Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing ceases abruptly during sleep.  Sleep apnea occurs to different degrees in different individuals, but is universally detrimental to overall health and often indicative of other health problems that require attention.  Snoring, disruptive in its own right, can also affect your health and may lead to sleep apnea if not corrected.  

Research has linked sleep apnea to high blood pressure, stroke, drowsiness, heart disease and mood disorders.  Apnea reduces the amount of oxygen available to the body, putting a great deal of stress on the body. 

Treatment

The first step is a thorough evaluation to determine the specific cause of the snoring or apnea. Through imaging and diagnostic techniques, Dr. Fleischmann can determine the best course of treatment. 

In many cases, snoring or sleep apnea can be remedied through non-surgical means, such as:

• Behavioral changes, (such as sleeping on the side rather than the back)
• Diet and exercise
• Dental appliances
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
  (which holds the throat open using air pressure)
• Medications

If non-surgical methods are not sufficiently effective, surgical procedures may be considered.  The specific course of surgery differs, as the causes of the snoring or apnea can differ from one individual to the next.  Some common surgical procedures to eliminate obstructive sleep apnea include:

• Nasal airway surgery
• Tightening of loose tissues
• Tongue reduction
• Palate implants
• Maxillomandibular procedures