Knowing When to Have Sleep Apnea Surgery
Undergoing sleep apnea surgery is one of the most effective methods for gaining permanent relief from this sleeping disorder, but it is also considered a very drastic treatment that should only be done when all else has failed. Before you even consider having sleep apnea surgery, you should first try some of the less extreme treatment methods, many of which have been found to produce quite successful results.
These methods include changes to your lifestyle such as quitting smoking and drinking, as well as changes to your diet, like eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and drinking more water. You can also try procuring some special pillows that can help you breathe better while sleeping, or gadgets that can open up your airways while you sleep at night. If you find that you can get relief from using these methods, then there is no need to go through the hassle of undergoing sleep apnea surgery.
Various Surgical Options
If you have tried all of these methods and none of them seem to work, or if your doctor has diagnosed your condition to be life-threatening, then you should start thinking about the different options you have when it comes to sleep apnea surgery. There are a number of different surgical procedures that can be done to help you with your condition. Although your doctor will probably recommend the best procedure for you, it is still good to learn all about the different options before making your decision. One of the most popular procedures is called uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, which is the removal of excess throat tissues that can block the airways when sleeping. Tonsillectomy is another common surgical procedure, which is the removal of a person’s enlarged tonsils. If the adenoids are also enlarged, they may also be removed using the procedure called adenoidectomy.
Other types of procedures for sleep apnea surgery do not involve the removal of anything from the body but instead repairs damages that have been done in the tissues or bones of the throat or mouth. For example, nasal septoplasty can be done if the nose is deformed in such a way that it prevents proper breathing throughout the night. If none of the above mentioned surgical procedures will help, the last resort is to go for a tracheostomy. In this procedure, a hole is cut through the windpipe through which an external tube is attached. This procedure, however, is very high-risk and is only done in the most extreme cases.
