It is a carefully thought out solution that takes into consideration your needs, desires and medical condition.
For many severe sleep apnea patients, CPAP can be the Ultimate Solution.
The patient utilizes a mask at night that is supplied a constant flow of air. The air pressure from the CPAP machine enables the airway to remain open while the patient sleeps comfortably through the night. In the morning the patent awakens feeling refreshed and energized.
At Sleep Solutions we prescribe only the very best CPAP masks and machines to ensure a higher level of acceptance and compliance by our patients. Most sleep labs merely prescribe the appropriate pressure setting for the equipment and leave the brand and model to “durable goods” provider. Since reimbursement for this equipment does not vary by the cost of the products, there is a natural disincentive to provide the most cost efficient equipment.
Whether it is a Respironics, Resmed or Fisher Paykel ; you can rest assure that we have ordered their “top of the line”.
Comfort is as important as effectiveness.
Auto adjusting machines have been shown to be more comfortable. At Sleep Solutions most of the machines we order are auto adjusting.
Compliance monitoring is extremely important to the success of treatment. That is why all the machines have computerized monitoring that record the days and hours of use, the amount of mask leakage and even number of apnea’s per hour. We do not rely on the vendor that supplies the CPAP equipment to track and evaluate compliance. It is done by the professionals in our office. Tracking and evaluating compliance is so important to the patient’s success that it can not be trusted to a non-physician.
While CPAP is the best solution for many, some patients find it difficult to adjust to.
For those patients, an Oral Appliance can be the Solution.
For the mild and moderate Sleep Apnea patient, a custom molded Oral Appliance positions the lower jaw forward, maintaining the airway while resolving the snoring and establishing a restful sleep. It can also help to reduce the tendency to clench or grind in the TMJ patient.
Many non compliant Severe CPAP patients can also benefit from an oral appliance. In the appropriate patient, significant reduction and even resolution of the Apnea events can be obtained. An evaluation of the oral airway, larynx and neck can help to predict success in these patients.
Even the successful Sleep Apnea patient that utilizes CPAP each and every night may find significant benefit to the use of the oral appliance. It can be used while traveling on the plane or train to assure a restful trip and a quite ride for fellow passengers. If worn while watching TV in a recliner and one suddenly falls asleep, the airway is maintained and a restful nap will follow.
Surgical Treatment
Children with Sleep Apnea are often more seriously affected by this condition.
Fortunately, the treatment for this condition, a Tonsillectomy, is quite successful and permanent.
UPPP, Tongue base surgery, Somnoplasty and Nasal surgery are rarely solutions for sleep apnea. They can be beneficial when the oral appliance alone is not successful.
The newest form of OSA surgery is a procedure that advances the genial tubercle (a bump on the inside of the tip of the chinbone) along with its associated muscle attachments and the Hyoid bone (the Adams apple). The procedure is called a GAHM procedure (Genioglossal advancement with hyoid myotomy/
suspension), and in combination with the UPPP has an overall 61% success rate. The GAHM procedure may be done in conjunction with modifications to the back of the tongue (laser midline glossectomy and lingualplasty) to further open the airway.
|
