Obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) is a common condition, affecting 5% to 7% of the population. Long-term untreated OSA is linked to cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, and stroke.
For patients with moderate to severe OSA, treatment with positive airway pressure(PAP or CPAP) is usually recommended. Treatment with PAP can reduce morbitity and is the gold standard of treatment of OSA. However, treatment with CPAP, “the mask”, is poorly tolerated, and a large number of patients(50%) discontinue CPAP use and remain untreated.
Other medical and surgical therapies exist for the treatment of OSA. Conservative measures, such as oral appliances, have been proven to reduce severity, decrease morbidity and mortality, and lower apnea scores to within normal limits for some patients. More aggressive options include surgical interventions, such as tonsillectomy, tongue base reduction or suspension, and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, among others, each of which can be effective for some patients.
The bottom line is that if you are unable to tolerate treatment with CPAP, other treatment options exist. Schedule an appointment with the doctors at
Great Neck ENT
to find the sleep apnea treatment that works for you.
