Airway collapse location?

[The_Boaphile]

Does the airway typically close in only one location? Or can mouth breathing vs. nose breathing cause an airway collapse in different locations?

[ChicagoGranny]

Does the airway typically close in only one location? Or can mouth breathing vs. nose breathing cause an airway collapse in different locations?

The blockage is almost always where the tongue meets the soft palate. Enlarged tonsils or adenoids could also be a factor that could be eliminated by surgery.

Nasal breathing is more healthy than mouth breathing. Studies have found that oral breathing can induce obstructive sleep apnea or make it worse by increasing airway collapse and nasal resistance (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17464234/).

[gadgetmaniah]

Does the airway typically close in only one location? Or can mouth breathing vs. nose breathing cause an airway collapse in different locations?

The blockage is almost always where the tongue meets the soft palate. Enlarged tonsils or adenoids could also be a factor that could be eliminated by surgery.

Nasal breathing is more healthy than mouth breathing. Studies have found that oral breathing can induce obstructive sleep apnea or make it worse by increasing airway collapse and nasal resistance (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17464234/).

I stumbled on this thread while looking for posts about mouth breathing. I mouth breathe while sleeping (and sometimes while awake), most probably due to enlarged adenoids which I've had since childhood. The doctors recommended against removing them when I was little.

I wanted to ask, if my mouth breathing problem is resolved through surgery, would that simply solve my sleep apnea? Or would I still need to use a CPAP? I didn't consider surgery or even visiting an ENT before starting CPAP therapy because I've read that surgery isn't usually beneficial in sleep apnea.

[zonker]

I stumbled on this thread while looking for posts about mouth breathing.

here's another thread you might find useful-
viewtopic/p1089718/viewtopic.php?f=1&t= ... s#p1086296

it jumps into the conversation, so just scroll up and read.

[ChicagoGranny]

I wanted to ask, if my mouth breathing problem is resolved through surgery, would that simply solve my sleep apnea?

My guess is "very unlikely".

I've read that surgery isn't usually beneficial in sleep apnea.

This was probably referring to UPPP. UPPP has fallen out of favor because its success record is poor.

The one surgery that has a good record for resolving sleep apnea is maxillomandibular advancement surgery - https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-prof ... c-20430404

visiting an ENT

I recommend everyone who has obstructive sleep apnea visit an ENT for an examination and discussion. The ENT should examine the entire airway including the soft palate, tongue, adenoids, tonsils, vocal cords, turbinates and sinus cavities. She should give an opinion on what is causing sleep apnea. It is somewhat common for mouthbreathers to have enlarged turbinates. Surgery or other treatment of enlarged turbinates can make it easier to use CPAP and may help reduce mouthbreathing.

Are you practicing falling asleep with the tip of the tongue on the roof of the mouth? For some people, this helps reduce mouthbreathing.

[gadgetmaniah]

I stumbled on this thread while looking for posts about mouth breathing.

here's another thread you might find useful-
viewtopic/p1089718/viewtopic.php?f=1&t= ... s#p1086296

it jumps into the conversation, so just scroll up and read.

Thanks! This is helpful.

[gadgetmaniah]

I wanted to ask, if my mouth breathing problem is resolved through surgery, would that simply solve my sleep apnea?

My guess is "very unlikely".

I've read that surgery isn't usually beneficial in sleep apnea.

This was probably referring to UPPP. UPPP has fallen out of favor because its success record is poor.

The one surgery that has a good record for resolving sleep apnea is maxillomandibular advancement surgery - https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-prof ... c-20430404

visiting an ENT

I recommend everyone who has obstructive sleep apnea visit an ENT for an examination and discussion. The ENT should examine the entire airway including the soft palate, tongue, adenoids, tonsils, vocal cords, turbinates and sinus cavities. She should give an opinion on what is causing sleep apnea. It is somewhat common for mouthbreathers to have enlarged turbinates. Surgery or other treatment of enlarged turbinates can make it easier to use CPAP and may help reduce mouthbreathing.

Are you practicing falling asleep with the tip of the tongue on the roof of the mouth? For some people, this helps reduce mouthbreathing.

Oh ok, I see. So it's unlikely for surgery to cure your apnea but it would help in using the CPAP more effectively. Thank you for the advice; I appreciate it!

I actually usually have the tip of my tongue on the roof of my mouth, but I'll be more conscious of now when sleeping. I've read that a chinstrap can help too to reduce mouth breathing, so I could try that as well, though I'm a bit concerned about how comfortable it would be.