Sleep Apnea

Snoring Treatment

Sleep apnea is a common condition where the upper airway becomes blocked when sleeping, causing airflow to be dramatically reduced or stopped completely. Sleep apnea can result in the patient not breathing for periods of time throughout the night, also referred to as obstructive sleep apnea. Another form of sleep apnea, referred to as central sleep apnea, occurs when the brain does not send your body the signal to breathe properly while you sleep. Pashapour Oral + Facial Surgery offers sleep apnea surgery in Washington, DC for patients who are looking to treat their sleep apnea.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea result in the patient repeatedly not breathing throughout the night while they sleep. In order to be diagnosed with sleep apnea, you must undergo a sleep study where your breathing patterns will be monitored as you sleep. During a sleep study at a sleep center, every time you stop breathing will be marked. Your oxygen levels in the blood tend to drop during these moments, so physicians also monitor your oxygen levels while you sleep. Episodes of sleep apnea can occur anywhere from 5-100 times every hour while sleeping, depending on the severity of your sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is considered severe when more than 30-40 episodes of not breathing occur in 1 hour.

What Are The Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea?

The symptoms of sleep apnea vary from patient to patient and manifest themselves differently depending on if you are sleeping or not. While you are asleep, your partner is likely the one to notice these symptoms. Symptoms of sleep apnea while you are asleep include choking or gasping, loud, persistent snoring, and pauses in breathing. You may also experience restless sleep or frequent trips to the bathroom throughout the night. During the day, you may experience headaches in the morning, difficulty concentrating, irritability, mood swings, or depression. Those with sleep apnea also experience sleepiness during the day or excessive daytime fatigue.

 
SYMPTOMS OF SLEEP APNEA WHILE SLEEPING
CHOKING OR GASPING
LOUD, CONTINUOUS SNORING
PAUSES IN BREATHING
RESTLESS SLEEP
FREQUENT BATHROOM BREAKS

 

SYMPTOMS OF SLEEP APNEA WHILE AWAKE
MORNING HEADACHES
DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING
IRRITABILITY, MOOD SWINGS, & DEPRESSION
GROGGINESS
FATIGUE

 

What Is Sleep Apnea Surgery?

There are many approaches to sleep apnea surgery, and the specific type of sleep apnea surgery that you undergo will be determined under the guidance of Dr. Pashapour and his surgical team. A common type of sleep apnea surgery is uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), which is designed to remove the problematic tissue in the throat, remodel the tissue in the throat, or a combination of both. A similar procedure performed using laser technology is known as laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty. In some cases, a radiofrequency probe may be used in order to tighten the tissue of the soft palate. In more severe instances of sleep apnea, repositioning the bone of the upper and lower jaw may be needed in order to increase the size of the airway.

What Non-Surgical Sleep Apnea Treatments Do You Offer?

In addition to sleep apnea surgery, we also offer non-surgical sleep apnea treatments. If sleep apnea is less severe, a non-surgical treatment may be all that is needed to safely manage your sleep apnea. Pashapour Oral + Facial Surgery offers sleep apnea appliances known as CPAP machines, which stands for continuous positive airway pressure. This treatment blows air with continuous pressure to ensure breathing is not interrupted. We also offer maxillo-mandibular advancement using a device that resembles a mouth guard. This device can ease the upper or lower jaw forward to improve breathing while you sleep.

SLEEP APNEA TREATMENTS & SURGERY
SLEEP APNEA APPLIANCE
MAXILLO-MANDIBULAR ADVANCEMENT

What Should I Expect After Sleep Apnea Surgery?

The recovery period following sleep apnea ultimately depends on which type of sleep apnea surgery you undergo. We can help you decide which sleep apnea treatment is ideal for your specific needs. Before your sleep apnea surgery, Dr. Pashapour and his surgical team will be able to provide detailed pre- and post-operative instructions and answer any questions on what you may expect before, during, and after sleep apnea surgery.

How Can I Get Started With A Sleep Apnea Surgery?

Dr. Pashapour and his staff at Pashapour Oral + Facial Surgery would be happy to discuss the details of sleep apnea surgery with you. To schedule an appointment in Washington, DC or Arlington, please call our office at 703-566-1990 or request an appointment online.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: An Overview

The Risks Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Professional Memberships

American Board Of Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery Middle Atlantic Society Of Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeons Virginia Society Of Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeons Greater Reston Chamber Of Commerce Arlington Chamber Of Commerce American Association Of Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeons The American College Of Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeons American Dental Association Northern Virginia Dental Society Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation

Educational Background

Georgetown University The University of Pennsylvania School Of Dental Medicine Drexel University College Of Medicine University Of Medicine & Dentistry Of New Jersey

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