treatment of Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Phoenix Oral & Facial Surgery

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea or OSA?

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissue in a person's throat collapses because the tongue becomes stuck against the back of the throat and blocks the airway during sleep. The blood-oxygen level then drops low enough that the brain signals the body to wake up and gasp for breath.

This happens so quickly that the sleeper usually does not remember it. In a given night, the number of involuntary pauses in breathing or "apneic events" may be as high as 30 or more per hour. These breathing pauses are usually accompanied by snoring between apnea episodes, although not everyone who snores has this condition. With snoring caused by OSA, the person appears to catch their breath or gasp. Thus they will periodically make a choking, snorting or gasping sound when the airway reopens.

Research has linked obstructive sleep apnea to significant health problems such high blood pressure, stroke, chronic drowsiness, heart disease, and mood disorders.  OSA reduces the amount of oxygen that flows through the body, putting a great deal of stress on the many important organ systems. 

Treatment of Sleep Apnea in Phoenix AZ

The first step is a thorough evaluation to determine the specific cause of the snoring or apnea. Through the use of advanced imaging and other diagnostic techniques, Dr. Kim and the team at Phoenix Oral and Facial Surgery can determine the best course of treatment. 

Common non-surgical treatments for obstructive sleep apnea include:

• Lifestyle changes
• Changes to Diet and Weight Loss
• Use of an Oral Repositioning Device or Appliance
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
• Certain Medications

If non-surgical treatments are not effective, a surgical alternative may be considered.  The specific type of surgery recommended will vary depending on the cause of the obstructive snoring or apnea which can differ from one individual to the next.  Some common surgical procedures to eliminate obstructive sleep apnea include:

• Nasal airway surgery
• Tightening or loosening of airway tissues
• Tongue reduction
• Palate implants
• Corrective Jaw Surgery 

Your sleep can be improved and even be cured!

Contact our office today at (602) 956-9560 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kim.