Sleep apnea is a more serious condition that occurs when the air blockage causes you to stop breathing at least 5 times an hour, for over 10 seconds each time. Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition that can ultimately lead to death.

If you’re suspected of suffering from sleep apnea, your doctor will arrange for you to have your nose and throat examined to find any obvious causes of obstruction. This could include an anatomical abnormality or nasal polyps. The exam is handled with either an endoscopic exam or a CT scan.

After the initial diagnosis is done you’ll be sent to a sleep lab where you will undergo a study of your sleeping patterns.

A sleep study monitors your body while you sleep. Some of the measurements that will be tracked include:

- blood oxygen levels
- blood pressure
- heart rate
- airflow
- chest & diaphragm movement
- brain activity

You’ll stay overnight in a special sleep lab where these tests will be done with equipment that is attached to you while you sleep. (It’s not as bad as it sounds – you will be able to sleep!)

If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, you’ll probably be told to avoid any kind of sleep medications and alcohol. If you’re overweight, you’ll be advised to lose the extra weight. You may also be told to start sleeping on your side.

These three simple things can sometimes be enough to solve the problem.

If this is not enough to remedy the problem, you may undergo other sleep apnea treatments such as positive pressure ventilation, in which you will be given a tightly fitting nasal mask through which air is pumped. The increased air pressure can help to keep your airways open.

If these treatments still don’t solve the problem, you may have to undergo surgery.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of the condition and generally responds to treatment. Central sleep apnea, in which there can be brain or nerve damage, is often not as responsive to treatment. In these cases you may need to treat them with drugs that stimulate your breathing.

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.