Not Fade wrote:Wulfman... wrote:There's no one cause. It would be in the nasal passages, the throat
I would like to hear your explanation of those two causes.
What I understand is that
all cases of OSA occur where the soft palate and tongue collapse blocking the airway.
Definitely not all. However, in some ways they may be connected.......in that they're "obstructive" in nature.
And, definitely not MY theories. They're well documented in the aforementioned links and others.
In my own case, I suspected enlarged turbinates and deviated septum (broken nose in high school football).
But, if you can't breathe through your nose, then you have to breathe through your mouth......which makes the tongue more apt to fall backwards and block that breathing channel, too.
Den
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasal_septum_deviation
Nasal septum deviation
It is most frequently caused by impact trauma, such as by a blow to the face.[3] It can also be a congenital disorder, caused by compression of the nose during childbirth.[3] Deviated septum is associated with genetic connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome, Homocystinuria[4] and Ehlers–Danlos syndrome.[5]
Only more severe cases of a deviated septum will cause symptoms of difficulty breathing and require treatment.[2]Symptoms of a deviated septum include infections of the sinus and
sleep apnea, snoring, repetitive sneezing, facial pain, nosebleeds, difficulty with breathing,[6] and mild to severe loss of the ability to smell.[7]
http://www.entnet.org/content/surgery-o ... leep-apnea
Nose
Increased nasal congestion has been shown to cause or contribute to snoring, disrupted sleep, and even
sleep apnea. It is also a leading cause of failure of medical treatments for OSA, such as CPAP or an oral appliance. Nasal obstruction may result from many causes including allergies, polyps, deviated septum, enlarged adenoids, and enlarged turbinates.
Medical treatment options, such as a nasal steroid spray or allergy management, may be helpful in some patients. Structural problems, such as a deviated septum, often benefit from surgical treatment. One surgical option, known as radiofrequency turbinate reduction (RFTR), can be performed in the office under local anesthesia. RFTR uses radiofrequency to shrink swollen tissues in each side of the nose.
Upper throat (palate, tonsils, uvula)
In many patients with OSA, airway narrowing and collapse occurs in the area of the soft palate (back part of the roof of the mouth), tonsils, and uvula. The specific type and combination of procedures that are indicated depend on each individuals unique anatomy and pattern of collapse. Therefore the procedure selection and surgical plan must be customized to each patient. In general, these procedures aim to enlarge and stabilize the airway in the upper portion of the throat.
The surgery is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia, either as an outpatient or with an overnight hospital stay. The recovery varies depending on the patient and the specific procedures performed. Many patients return to school/work in approximately one week and return to normal diet and activity at two weeks. Throat discomfort, particularly with swallowing, is common in the first two weeks and usually managed with medications for pain and inflammation. Risks include bleeding, swallowing problems, and anesthesia complications, although serious complications are uncommon.
The tonsils and adenoids may be the sole cause of snoring and sleep apnea in some patients, particularly children. In children, and in select adults, with OSA and enlarged tonsils/adenoids , tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy alone can provide excellent resolution of snoring, sleep apnea, and associated symptoms.
Lower throat (back of tongue and upper part of voice box)
The lower part of the throat is also common area of airway collapse in patients with OSA. The tongue base may be larger than normal, especially in obese patients, contributing to blockage in this area. The tongue may also collapse backward during sleep as the muscles of the throat relax, particularly when some patients sleep on their back. The epiglottis, or upper part of the voice box, may also collapse and contribute to airway obstruction.
Multiple procedures are available to reduce the size of the tongue base or advance it forward out of the airway. Other procedures aim to advance and stabilize the hyoid bone which is connected to the tongue base and epiglottis. A more recent technology involves implantation of a pacemaker for the tongue (hypoglossal nerve stimulator) which stimulates forward contraction of the tongue during sleep. As with palatal surgery, the most appropriate type of procedure varies from one individual to another, and is primarily determined by each patients anatomy and pattern of obstruction.
The procedures are done under general anesthesia, often with overnight hospital observation. Recovery and risks vary depending on the procedure(s) performed, but are generally similar to procedures in the upper throat.
Skeletal procedures
For the most part, the above procedures involve surgical enlargement and stabilization inside the airway. For some patients, particularly those with developmental or structural changes of the jaw or other facial bones, surgical or orthodontic procedures on the bones of the face, jaw, or hard palate (roof of the mouth) may be beneficial.
Orthodontic procedures to widen the palate (palatal or maxillary expansion) may be useful treatment options in some pediatric patients. Maxillomandibular advancement surgery includes a number of procedures designed to move the upper jaw (maxilla) and/or lower jaw (mandible) forward, thus opening the upper and/or lower airway, respectively. Although full maxillomandibular advancement surgery can provide effective enlargement and stabilization of the airway, the potential benefits must be cautiously weighed against the potential increased risks of complications, longer recovery, and changes in the cosmetic appearance of the face.
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