Sleep apnea

In Hong Kong, there are about 4% of male and 2% of female who suffer from sleep apnea, which is ceasing of breathing during sleep. According to the international standard, stopping for over 10 seconds 5 or more times per hour can be diagnosed as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be classified into three types, namely obstructive, central and mixed apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the commonest type of apnea. Central sleep apnea is much less common, meaning the central nervous system cannot maintain normal breathing at sleep. The cause may be congenital, or caused by stroke or drugs. Mixed sleep apnea means having both apneas at the same time.

Symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, occasional pauses in breathing, unwillingness to get up in the morning, daytime tiredness, easy to go napping, difficulty to focus, which affects work or academic performance. Also, sleep apnea may cause temper changes, memory and sexual function loss. Besides, sleep apnea can cause different complications, such as hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. In severe case, sleep apnea may lead to sudden death.

Diagnosis

Patients can be diagnosed by sleeping test, which the patient can choose to stay in hospital for a night or get tested by sleeping test companies at home.

Reference: www.ent-hk.com

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your ENT doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea

In daily life, patient has to pay attention to the diet, have regular exercises and lose weight. Also, have regular sleep and rest and avoid smoking and alcohol. Sleeping pills and sedative will increase the severity of obstruction, so they should be avoid if unnecessary.

Positive airway pressure machines are the simplest and safest treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Wearing the mask during sleep every night can control the obstruction and reduce snoring, though some patients may find wearing a mask at sleep uncomfortable, which require alteration in treatments.

Surgery specifies different obstruction site, and remove the obstruction with laser or in a surgical way. Success rate varies from 40% to 80%, depends on the case itself. If there are more than one obstruction sites, one or more surgeries have to be done, and relapse is possible.

Night guards are specially made by dentists to put on the upper and lower jaws during sleep, which can pull the lower jaw forward, lowering the chance of airway obstruction.

Reference information: www.ent-hk.com

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your ENT doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea

Life style adjustment is important. Obstructive sleep apnea patients are usually over-weight. Weight reduction, by diet and regular exercises, is utmost important. Improve sleep hygiene with regular sleep, avoid alcohol and sleeping pills will improve the sleep quality. 

Positive airway pressure machines (CPAP) are the gold standard of the management of the sleep apnea. By applying positive pressure ventilation, the airway is splinted. Airway vibration and collapse are prevented and sleep quality improved. The compliance is the major problem. Lots of people refuse the idea of using CPAP and many find wearing a mask to sleep intolerable. It needs time for patients to get use to the CPAP machine and most of them will find it useful.

Surgery is reserved for those who cannot tolerate CPAP machine. Different kinds of surgery, aim at different level of obstruction, are available. The aim of the surgery is to enlarge and stiffen the airway. Success rate varies from 40% to 80%, depending on the individual. Sometime multilevel surgery is required for optimal results. Minimal invasive techniques such as radiofrequency ablations can be used to relieve obstruction at different level.

Dental appliances are another option for the treatment of sleep apnea. It is usually tailor made by dentists and wearing them during bedtime, may control the snoring and sleep apnea.

Reference information: ent-hk.com www.ent-hk.com

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your ENT doctor for diagnosis and treatment.