Archive for October, 2008

Information About Sleep Apnea Treatment


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Sleep medicine is the rapidly growing field as a result of fast increasing awareness related with Sleep Disorders during last decades, and after discovery of REM sleep, the sleep apnea; the significance of medical nature of sleep has gone up many fold. Medical fraternity is now giving more attention to basic sleep disorders, especially to sleep apnea, and additional focus on the position and quality of sleep situations is on rise.

From about 1970s hospitals for study of sleep disorders are being started in United States, also their quality has also improved. You can find now a professional full time sleep disorder doctor unlike earlier it was a neurosurgeon or a psychiatrist attending to sleep problems.

The field of Sleep Disorders treatment and sleep medicine are newly developing areas of study for medical colleges.

Sleep disorder medicine is well recognized as a sub specialty in study of internal medicine, family medicine stream, pediatrics, otolaryngology, psychiatry and neurology in the US. There are Medical Institute and University Certification available in Sleep Medicine showing the specialist status in sleep medicine. The certificates certify like this: quote; “has demonstrated expertise in the diagnosis and management of clinical conditions that occur during sleep, that disturb sleep, or that are affected by disturbances in the wake-sleep cycle.

This sleeping disorder treatment specialist is skilled in the analysis and interpretation of comprehensive polysomnography, and well-versed in emerging research and management of a sleep laboratory.”

Medical proficiency in sleep medicine calls for comprehension knowledge of over abundance of extremely varied disorders, a lot of them show symptoms of excessive day sleep that, in lack of volitional sleep deficiency, is initiated by a well known and treatable sleep disorder.

Sleep dentistry is also producing specialized sleep disorder doctor for treatment of snoring, handling problems associated with bruxism, and also for sleep apnea, though dentistry is not recognized as among nine dental specializations qualifications recognized for “American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine” (ABDSM) board-certification. The Diplomate certification is given by the “American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)”.

The Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (USA) is the apex body of such qualified dentists certified to practice as sleep disorder doctor, in teams with sleep disorder doctor at recognized sleep centers and is qualified to give oral appliance therapy. The sleep disorder doctor thus working in accredited medical hospitals can also do upper airway surgery for curing breathing complaint related to sleep. However in the UK, diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders is still in developing phase.

More articles about Insomnia


The Pillow To Stop Snoring Functions

People who snore have a number of options to stop snoring. There are many products available, including a special pillow to stop snoring. Pillows that help you stop snoring are a popular method to stop snoring that doesn’t require any special attention and usually work on the same basis.

Snoring is most likely going to be noisier and more intense when the snorer is sleeping on his back, so the pillow to stop snoring functions by not allowing the snorer to roll over onto his back. Breathing passages are clearer when a person sleeps on either the side, which will naturally eliminate snoring.

There are a lot of reasons that people snore, and the way they lie in bed might be one. With the pillow to stop snoring, your body is aligned in a better position to prevent snoring. If changing your sleeping position doesn’t help, then a doctor can examine you to figure out exactly why you snore. You might have a serious condition that is making you snore.

Many are snoring due to an obstruction in the air passage while they’re sleeping. This makes them stop breathing during the night. The air expelled through the air passage will cause a snoring sound. Often, the person who’s sleeping near this person will note that there are periods of silence. The pillow to stop snoring is designed to keep your neck positioned correctly to keep air passages open while you sleep, but failure to breathe is a sign of more serious problems for which medical attention is necessary.

If you have other problems, there are additional techniques to help you stop snoring. It may be as simple as using a pillow to help you stop snoring. You can also find products designed to enlarge your nasal passages, such as snore strips that go on the outside of your nose before you go to sleep.

There are options available for the mouth if it is the source of the snoring problem. For example, the palate’s tissue may be too soft, and this can result in vibration during sleep which causes the snoring noise. Certain dental devices can be placed in the mouth prior to sleeping, and this eliminates the vibration. Certain types of surgery are also available which can help to correct this type of snoring.

The first step is to discover what is causing your snoring. The pillow to stop snoring is meant to align the body in a side sleeping position to stop snoring. Snoring can have a serious impact on your life and relationships so any safe means to stop snoring is a good thing.


Surgical Methods for Eliminating Your Snoring

Perhaps you have tried the various anti snoring devices available, and none seemed to work for you. Or you have been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), but find using the Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) device just too uncomfortable. Whatever reason, many snorers turn to surgery to make their nights less noisy and disruptive, both for themselves and for their partners.

Surgical methods for reducing or eliminating snoring or OSA are typically divided into the way they go about stopping the blockage. Let’s take a closer look at some.

Surgery designed to enlarge the throat

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) – This procedure typically involves removal of the tonsils and part of the uvula and soft palate. This actually serves two purposes: opening the airway and reducing the amount of tissue available to vibrate. UPPP is performed under general anesthetic, and recovery time is typically one to two weeks. This method typically requires admittance to the hospital. Typically only one surgery is required.

Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) – If your tonsils have already been removed, this option may be preferred over UPPP. This procedure uses laser technology to remove part of the soft palate and shorten the uvula. LAUP is done with either a local or general anesthetic, and recovery time is typically one week. This procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis, resulting in lower costs. However, to get the best results, as many as six separate procedures will be performed.

Cautery-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (CAUP) – Instead of a laser, this procedure uses a heated wire or electrode to burn away part of the uvula. This method results in the least post-operative pain of those discussed so far, and is performed as an outpatient under local anesthetic. Again, repeat visits is typically required for best results.

Surgery to stiffen the tissues in the throat or palate

Somnoplasty – A low temperature, low power needle using radio frequency energy is used in this procedure to coagulate tissue in the uvula, palate, or tongue. This coagulated material is absorbed by the rest of the body, resulting in less obstruction caused by the treated area and resulting in the stiffening of the area. This outpatient procedure has about an 80% success rate for reducing snoring, and has also been shown to help mild sleep apnea. Repeat visits are normal.

Cautery-assisted palatal stiffening operation (CAPSO) – Similar to the CAUP, but tissue from the soft palate is the target for removal. This procedure appears to have the highest initial success rate for reduction of snoring, at around 92%. Can be done on an outpatient bases.

Pillar Procedure – After a local anesthetic is given, the doctor implants three small inserts into the soft palate. These inserts stiffen the palate, resulting in less vibration, and less snoring. This procedure is used to reduce snoring and is effective for mild to moderate OSA.

This was a just a quick introduction to six of the more common surgery procedures used to treat both snoring and sleep apnea. There are many more, with a procedure available to treat almost any cause for your snoring or apnea. But to determine if surgery is right for your case, as well as which type is the most appropriate, you must visit your own doctor or an ear, nose, and throat specialist. They can recommend the best way to go to achieve a better nights sleep for you and your family.


After one too many nights in the guest room, Rodney decided to learn all he could about stopping his snoring. Visit his website for more information to help you stop snoring now.