Is Your Snoring Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Solid nights of sleep allow your body and mind to recharge. Peaceful slumber also helps the body stay healthy and stave off diseases. But if you snore loudly, pause breathing or gasp for air, you might have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). About 22 million people in the U.S. suffer from this disorder. An evaluation by an oral/maxillofacial surgeon is highly recommended.

If you need any type of oral surgery, talk to the experts at the office of Miramar Beach Facial & Oral Surgery. We’ll evaluate your case, answer all of your questions, and discuss and explain any of your concerns. Our goal is to offer a clear picture of all your options and deliver the results you expect. 

OSA happens when your upper airway muscles relax, which prevents you from breathing and makes you constantly awaken. This can lead to serious problems such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure.

A sleep study is needed to confirm a diagnosis and its severity. Most patients can do an at-home sleep study that requires minimally invasive equipment that will record how often their breathing is interrupted.

Surgery is recommended when CPAP machines and oral appliances have been unsuccessful. Treatments can eradicate snoring and breathing disruptions by opening, reshaping, enhancing or stimulating the upper airway. The kind of surgery you undergo depends on your unique anatomy and the seriousness of your symptoms. Your oral/maxillofacial surgeon will decide which procedure is best for you. 

Soft-tissue procedures usually involve nasal, palate or tonsil surgery to create more space in the air passageways. Skeletal surgeries improve the upper airway’s position, balance and movement. A neurostimulation/hypoglossal nerve stimulator expands the airway by arousing the base of the tongue. The apparatus is surgically implanted into your chest and connected to the upper airway via a wire. The patient can control the apparatus with a remote device. 

Miramar Beach Facial & Oral Surgery is committed to our patients’ health by delivering the highest quality skilled and compassionate oral and maxillofacial surgery. For more information about our office and many services, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We look forward to taking care of all your needs.