Severe Sleep Disorder – Is Apnea Surgery Necessary for You?

A non pronounced epidermis that has ravaged the world’s population is sleep disorders. A reliable medical statistics shows that between 12 and 20 million people are suffering from sleep apnea and other sleep disorders in America alone. Various situations of individuals experiencing these disorders are constant sleep denial, disruptive sleep apnea, insomnia and agitated legs syndrome. The effects of sleep apnea has reached a stage that apnea surgery is the only remedy for certain cases.

Generally, two treatment options are available for sleep apnea and other sleep disorders. These two options are medical and surgical management. There are certain indications on sleep disorders and apnea victims that will necessitate an apnea surgery. These indications have been grouped into general and specific indications.

General Indications for Surgical Treatment

The following conditions of sleep disorders are the general indications or signs for surgical treatment:

• Oxygen saturation of less than ninety percent (< 90%)
• Daytime sleepiness that is at the extreme end; which is also described as altered day time performance.
• Esophageal pressure that is extra negative than -10 centimeter H20 in the course of sleep
• Cardiovascular derangements or Arrhythmias
• RDI greater than 20*

Specific Indications for Surgical Treatment

• Oxygen de-saturation that is greater than 90 percent
• Esophageal pressures of negative value less than -10 centimeter H20
• Unsuccessful medical management treatment option
• Cardiovascular derangements
• RDI less than 20 events in the course of an hour sleep; or too much sleep in the day time that disrupts daily activities. For patients experiencing these situations, apnea surgery is deemed fit. This will be on the basis of case by case.

The indications outlined above (both general and specific) are also applicable for medical treatment or management. But any of these conditions that defy medical treatment is apparently going to be referred to surgery as the only remedy or solution.

As it is necessary for most surgical cases, apnea surgery can only commence after a proper and comprehensive evaluation has been carried out. This evaluation will include a detailed history accompanied with head/neck physical examination, polysomnography and fiber optic nasopharyngoscopy. Where obtainable, a lateral cephalometric analysis should also be carried out as one of the required pre-surgical evaluation standards.

The reason for these is to provide enough information record that will assist in directing apnea surgery. This is also helpful in determining treatment or clinical outcome possibilities.

Medical professionals specializing in sleep disorder surgery are in a professional position to diagnose and refer apnea sleep condition and other sleep disorders to surgery. Therefore, if you consider your case to be in need of medical attention, then do not hesitate to consult an expert.