Dr. Wolford, the leading sleep apnea surgeon, will guide you through the process of diagnosis, and the concept of the treatment plan.
Obstructive sleep apnea has wide-ranging effects on your quality of life as well as your health. This condition, in which patients repeatedly stop breathing for brief episodes during sleep, interferes with their body’s ability to rest. Furthermore, sleep apnea appears to correlate with very serious health problems like high blood pressure and stroke.
Understandably, patients who believe that they may have sleep apnea often seek treatment for the condition. When that treatment is successful, the patient benefits from feeling more well-rested and getting a health boost, as well.
Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea with a Sleep Apnea Surgeon
Patients who have noticed health signs of sleep apnea, like morning headaches, should talk to a sleep apnea surgeon, or another sleep specialist, to get a conclusive diagnosis and evaluate daytime drowsiness. This is the first step toward successful treatment and relief from sleep apnea symptoms.
Take Dr. Wolford’s Airway Questionnaire for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Additionally, the sleep apnea surgeon must determine what structural abnormalities are causing the apnea. Obstructions in the nasal passages can cause patients to have difficulty breathing during sleep, while the problem may be with the position of the jaw or excessive soft tissue at the rear of the throat in other patients. If the soft tissues are able to go slack and cover up the airway opening, that will cause pauses in breathing, too.
Many patients will initially undergo a conservative approach to sleep apnea treatment. A sleep apnea surgeon may not even need to perform an invasive procedure to relieve the patient.
If those conservative measures are not effective, however, the sleep apnea surgeon may explore other options, such as a surgical procedure to correct a congenital defect in the jaw structure or the nasal passages that may be contributing to the problem. Surgery can also be performed to address issues specifically with the soft tissues.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Wolford Today for An Effective Treatment
Patients who suffer from sleep apnea can get effective treatment. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Larry Wolford’s office using our online contact form or call 214-828-9115.
