What is Snoring?

According to Bernoulli’s principle whenever air passes through a narrow passage it makes noise. It can be annoying to the other half, but it is not a serious condition if it is not associated with sleep apnea. It can occur because of vibration of the soft palate or due to obstruction in the airway passage from nose to the chest.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep Apnea is defined as cessation of airflow for more than ten seconds. After an apneic spell patient briefly wakes up gasping for air and sleeps again. It can happen many times throughout the night leading to decrease oxygen levels. The other symptoms of sleep apnea are

• 1. Gasping or snorting in your sleep.
• 2. Waking up tired after a full night’s sleep.
• 3. Falling asleep during the middle of the day.
• 4. Having problems with memory or concentration.
• 5. Getting cranky or short-tempered.

What are the Long Term Health Problems associated With Sleep Apnea?

Patient may develop high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke or sexual dysfunction.

What are the types of sleep apnea?

There are two main types of Sleep Apnea

• a.Central
• b.Obstructive

How can Sleep Apnea be diagnosed?

A sleep study can help us to diagnose the exact nature of sleep apnea. This can either be done in a sleep clinic or at home. We encourage home sleep study for obtaining better sleeping pattern in your own bed. During this we can study ones breathing, heart rate, oxygen level, and other parameters.

What is the Treatment of Sleep Apnea?

Patient has to see a neurologist for central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea can be treated with –

• 1. Diet and exercise
• 2. Surgery to open up the patients airway such as septoplasty, turbinate reduction, Tonsilectomy, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty depending on the level of obstruction helps in improving the sleep apnea. However the success of these surgeries in best hands to cure sleep apnea is 40 - 50%. Tracheotomy is the only procedure that can cure obstructive sleep apnea since it bypasses the obstruction.