Posts Tagged “surgeon”
Unless our bed partner is disrupting our sleep, most of us don’t think of snoring as something to be overly concerned about. But frequent, loud snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea, a common and potentially serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts as you sleep. Although sleep apnea is treatable, it often goes unrecognized. Learn how to recognize the warning signs of sleep apnea, how to distinguish it from normal snoring, and what you can do about it
What Is Sleep Apnea?
- Sleep apnea (AP-ne-ah) is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep.
- Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes. They may occur 30 times or more an hour. Typically, normal breathing then starts again, sometimes with a loud snort or choking sound.
- Sleep apnea usually is a chronic (ongoing) condition that disrupts your sleep. When your breathing pauses or becomes shallow, you’ll often move out of deep sleep and into light sleep.
As a result, the quality of your sleep is poor, which makes you tired during the day. Sleep apnea is a leading cause of excessive daytime sleepiness.
Types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the soft tissue in the back of your throat relaxes during sleep and blocks the airway, often causing you to snore loudly.
- Central sleep apnea is a much less common type of sleep apnea that involves the central nervous system, occurring when the brain fails to signal the muscles that control breathing. People with central sleep apnea seldom snore.
- Complex sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
It can be tough to identify sleep apnea on your own, since the most prominent symptoms only occur when you’re asleep. But you can get around this difficulty by asking a bed partner to observe your sleep habits, or by recording yourself during sleep.
Major signs and symptoms of sleep apnea
- Loud and chronic snoring
- Choking, snorting, or gasping during sleep
- Long pauses in breathing
- Daytime sleepiness, no matter how much time you spend in bed
Other common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Morning headaches
- Restless or fitful sleep
- Insomnia or nighttime awakenings
- Going to the bathroom frequently during the night
- Waking up feeling out of breath
- Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating
- Moodiness, irritability, or depression
Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea in children
While obstructive sleep apnea can be common in children, it’s not always easy to recognize. In addition to continuous loud snoring, children with sleep apnea may adopt strange sleeping positions and suffer from bedwetting, excessive perspiration at night, or night terrors. Children with sleep apnea may also exhibit changes in their daytime behavior, such as:
- Hyperactivity or inattention
- Developmental and growth problems
- Decrease in school performance
- Irritable, angry, or hostile behavior
- Breathing through mouth instead of nose
- If you suspect your child may have sleep apnea, consult a pediatrician who specializes in sleep disorders. Once obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed, surgery to remove the child’s tonsils or adenoids usually corrects the problem.
There are several natural and medical ways to cure sleep apnea. It can be reversed if the right action is taken. Find out what solution is most comfortable and works for you. Remember, consult with a doctor or sleep specialist to see if you have sleep apnea.
Oral, Maxillofacial, and Implant Surgery
Dr. Fred A. Loe, DDS, PA oms@northtarrant.com
820 Towne Court
Saginaw, TX 76179
Office: (817) 259-1372
Fax: (817) 237-7585
What is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?
Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery is a surgical specialty which involves the diagnosis, surgery and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and aesthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. It is the area of surgery that deals with problems of the face, head, neck, jaw and sinuses. Maxillofacial surgeons are typically trained in oral surgery as well, so some surgeons are referred to as Oral & Maxillofacial specialists.
More simply put, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon is the orthopedic surgeon of the facial region. He or she is an individual who addresses problems ranging from the removal of impacted teeth to the repair of facial trauma.
Examples: A maxillofacial surgeon was called to help reconstruct the face of a patient whose facial bones were fractured in a severe car crash.
Also Known As: oral surgery, oral surgeon, facial surgery, Oral and maxillofacial, maxillo-facial.
Before Surgery: Things To Do
One of the best ways to have a great outcome from surgery is to be well-prepared. Once you’ve found a great surgeon and scheduled your surgery, it is important to begin preparing for the procedure as soon as possible. Your efforts before surgery can have a positive impact on your recovery after surgery.
Simple things, such as eating a well balanced diet can be very beneficial, quitting smoking and arranging help will improve your ability to heal quickly. Explore the best ways to prepare for surgery, your recovery from surgery, as well as questions for you to ask your surgeon before the big day. Don’t forget that important part of surgery that people forget to investigate, who is providing your anesthesia, questions to ask before anesthesia and what type of anesthesiayou will be receiving.
Nutrition before surgery is very important. A diet rich in nutrients, especially protein, helps prepares your body for quick healing. It is essential that you do not restrict calories, or diet, prior to your surgery unless your surgeon specifically recommends that you do so.
Exercise before surgery will help insure that your body is as fit as possible before your procedure. If you are already exercising, keep up the good work. If you are not, start slowly introducing exercise into your daily activities. Exercise does not need to be strenuous to be beneficial, in fact, a fifteen minute walk is far better than not exercising at all.
If you are a smoker, now is the time to quit. Not only will you be healthier in the long run, but your surgical outcome will be improved. Smokers are at significantly higher risk for requiring the ventilator for longer periods of time and have been proven to heal more slowly with greater scarring.
Do You Really Need Surgery?
You think you may need surgery. Perhaps your family physician has referred you to a surgeon or suggested that you have surgery. Maybe a friend had the same condition you do and had to have surgery, so you are afraid you will too. Don’t assume you need surgery, you may be able to return to good health without an invasive procedure.
Contact Us Today for an Appointment:
820 Towne Court Saginaw, TX 76179 Office: (817) 259-1372 Fax: (817) 237-7585
Proudly Serving the entire North Tarrant County as well as surrounding areas: Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, Watauga, Colleyville, Grapevine, Southlake, Trophy Club, Keller, Eagle Mountain Lake, and more.
