Loud snoring can be more than annoying—it may be a symptom of a serious medical condition known as obstructive sleep apnea. People often do not realize they have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), even though they may briefly stop breathing or gasp for air frequently during the night. The condition can leave you feeling tired after a good night’s sleep and cause a host of other medical problems, including high blood pressure.
9 Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea:
- Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon awakening
- Morning headaches
- Difficulties with concentration, forgetfulness, irritability or depression
- Night sweats
- Restlessness during sleep
- Sexual dysfunction
- Snoring
- Waking up suddenly with a sensation of gasping or choking
Help for the Weary
OSA occurs when your airway becomes obstructed and closed off while you are trying to breathe during sleep. If you are diagnosed with the condition, you can breathe easy knowing our surgeons at Oral & Facial Surgeons of Arizona are highly skilled in sleep apnea treatment and can create an individualized treatment plan that is right for you. We specialize in a number of sleep apnea treatment options that include:
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy that uses a machine to deliver a gentle amount of air pressure via a mask to keep the airway open
- Uvulo-palato-pharyngo-plasty (UPPP): surgery used to modify the tissue at the back of the soft palate and throat
- Laser-assisted uvulo-palato-plasty (LAUPP): similar to UPPP, this surgery is performed with a laser
- Tightening of the soft palate using a radio-frequency probe
- For complex cases, repositioning of the upper and lower jaw to increase the size of the airway
To find out whether you suffer from OSA and learn more about sleep apnea treatment options, contact our Phoenix or Tempe office today to schedule a consultation with one of our oral surgeons.