This article discusses the causes and risks of obstructive sleep apnea and how the condition can be treated.

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What Causes Obstructive Sleep
Apnea and How is the Condition
Treated?
Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder which
affects a smooth sleep session. Different from
normal snoring, is a potentially serious
disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops
and starts as the person sleeps. These
breathing breaks can occur hundreds of times
during a night’s sleep, but the person may not
be aware of this. It is estimated that about 80-
90% of the people who suffer from
obstructive sleep apnea are undiagnosed.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
The body is in a relaxed position when asleep
and sleep apnea is caused when the muscles in
the back of the throat relax. These muscles

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support the soft palate, uvula, side walls of the
throat, tonsils, and the tongue. When these
muscles are relaxed, the airway narrows or
closes when breathing in and obstructs smooth
breathing, which in turn lowers the level of
oxygen in the blood. This disrupts sleep and
the person wakes up. These interruptions occur
throughout the night though the person would
be hardly aware of them. They would be under
the impression that they slept well though they
have not.
If sleep deprivation is chronic it can affect the
person’s reflexes and ability to concentrate on
even basic tasks during daytime. In the long
run, the condition can lead to health problems
such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart
disease, stroke, and weight gain.
Risks of this disease when an individual is
• Related to someone who has sleep apnea
• Over the age of 65
• A smoker
• Overweight
• Male
• Black, Hispanic, or a Pacific Islander

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Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
• Dry mouth or sore throat at wake ups
• Not able to concentrate
• Irritations and depressions
• Morning headaches
• Loss of memory
• Learning problems
• Mood swings and personality changes
• Waking up frequently to urinate
How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?
A nasal CPAP (continuous positive airway
pressure) machine is what is initially
recommended for an individual with sleep
apnea. However, most people wear it only for
about half the recommended time. Surgical
treatment can permanently resolve the
ailment. Surgeons advise sleep apnea surgery
for moderate-severe OSA, OSA with co-morbid
medical conditions, OSA with anatomic airway
irregularities, heavy daytime sleepiness, and
when a non-surgical therapy fails.
• Tracheostomy: An opening hole is
created through the neck into the windpipe
to bypass the obstructed airway.

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• Tonsillectomy: The tonsils and adenoids
are first removed and skeletal surgery is
performed later to resolve enduring airway
anomalies if any.
• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP):
The tonsils are removed and the walls of
the pharynx are tightened.
• Genioglossus advancement: The base
muscles of the tongue are moved forward
on a tiny piece of bone attached to the
mandible to expand the hypopharyngeal
airway. Procedures are also performed to
resolve a small airway.
• Hyoid myotomy: The treatment moves
the tongue base muscles forward, pulling it
away from the back of the throat and
widening the airway.
• Maxillomandibular advancement
(MMA): The plastic surgeon cuts the upper
and lower jaw bones and moves them
forward. This procedure has a high success
rate and, in addition to sleep apnea, cures
associated medical conditions as well.
• Distraction osteogenesis: This
treatment, which distracts the lower jaw
and resolves neonates, is useful for
children. It is advised for children with
Treacher Collins syndrome, Pierre Robin
sequence and hemifacial microsomia.

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Surgical incisions are made in the lower
jawbone and devices are placed over these
incisions which stretch the bones over
time.
If you or a loved one has symptoms of this
condition, consult a plastic surgeon who has a
high rate of success with sleep apnea
treatment.