about sleep apnea

what is sleep apnea?

symptoms

current treatments

support groups

national sleep apnea research organizations

current treatments

CPAP – Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

A CPAP device includes a mask, tubes and a fan. It uses air pressure to push your tongue forward and open your throat. This allows air to pass through your throat. It reduces snoring and prevents apnea disturbances.

Advantages:

• Clear gold standard in OSA treatment
• When effective, can obtain an AHI below 5

Disadvantages:

• Inconvenience and discomfort cause many patients to be non- compliant and/or discontinue use of therapy
• Machine may be noisy
• Mask may be uncomfortable and embarrassing

Dental Appliances

Dental appliances work by pulling the jaw and tongue forward in order to open up the air passage. In a patient with OSA, this has the added benefit of allowing air to flow more freely so that that person can sleep better without fear of asphyxia.

Advantages:

• Easier to use and maintain as compared to the CPAP
• Less intrusive and smaller in size

Disadvantages:

• Less effective than CPAP
• Not very effective at all for those who have severe sleep apnea

Maxillomandibular Advancement Surgery

Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA) is sometimes called Bimaxillary Advancement (Bi-Max), or Maxillomandibular Osteotomy (MMO). A surgical procedure that moves the jaw top (maxilla) and bottom (mandible) forward. Used to correct facial deformity, receding chin, and for sleep breathing disorders.

Advantages:

• Can permanently cure sleep apnea and no further treatment is necessary.

Disadvantages:

• Very painful procedure
• Typically requires a long hospital stay with the potential of not being able to return to regular activities for up to four weeks