If you have sleep apnea, you may stop breathing several times during the night. Sleep apnea can be caused by improper muscle tension or some genetic physiological problems. Men are more likely to develop sleep apnea, although older adults of both sexes can develop it. You may also be more likely to develop sleep apnea if you're above a healthy weight for your height.
Your doctor may send you to do a sleep study if they believe you may have sleep apnea. Unless you have a partner who sleeps beside you, the only symptom you experience due to sleep apnea may be feeling tired all the time. Snoring is another symptom. Someone who sleeps next to you will be able to tell you if you snore. Once you're diagnosed with sleep apnea, you have a few different options for treatment.
1. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
If you have obstructive sleep apnea, the reason you stop breathing is because the tissues inside your mouth and throat block your airways in the night. This may happen if the muscles involved relax too deeply during the night. A CPAP machine blows air into your nose through a special mask. This air provides just enough pressure to keep your airways open so you can breathe at night. Wearing a CPAP machine mask might feel a little uncomfortable at first, but many patients find it allows them to have a more restful sleep.
2. Soft Palate Surgery
In some cases, a CPAP machine might not solve the problem. If your sleep apnea is caused by your particular anatomy, surgery might be required. Some people have too much tissue at the back of their throat. Your sleep apnea surgeon can remedy this by removing a small portion of your soft palate. Depending on the severity of the problem, they may also remove your uvula. You shouldn't suffer any ill effects as a result of this surgery, since the body parts they remove aren't actually necessary.
3. Genioglossus Advancement
If your tongue grows lax when you sleep, it might block your airway. Your sleep apnea surgeon can correct this by moving your tongue slightly forward. This is done by cutting a small space in the portion of your jaw beneath your chin. That piece of your jaw and your tongue muscle will be pulled forward and attached in its new position. This can widen your airway so you have an easier time breathing at night.
For more information, contact a sleep apnea surgeon.