Treatments

Sleep Apnea Syndrome (UAS); Apnea is defined as the involuntary cessation of breathing in the breathing phase of the upper respiratory tract during sleep, lasting at least 10 seconds or more and accompanied by a decrease in oxygen in the blood. It is also defined as a decrease in respiratory rate by more than 50%. In other words, UAS is called apneic and/or hypopneic events that cause low oxygen level in the lungs (hypoxia), decrease in the amount of oxygen in the blood and continuous deterioration of sleep quality, interruption in the form of awakening.

The most common complaints of sleep apnea patients are fragmented sleep, characterized by excessive sleepiness during the day, heavy snoring, and frequent awakenings. On the morning of such sleep, patients usually complain of headaches, which may be the result of nocturnal CO2 retention, muscular joint pain and nausea caused by bruxism, and acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux). Other complaints are defined as intellectual impairments, irritable behavior, tendency to argue with people around them, tendency to gluttony, depression and severe anxiety. Occupational accidents, adverse effects on work performance and decreased productivity were other complaints recorded. Impotence and nocturnal enuresis have been seen in some patients. There is also restlessness and involuntary leg movements during sleep.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The most common type of sleep apnea is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) syndrome. It is a disease that occurs in the form of collapse and complete blockage (obstruction) of the oropharyngeal part of the upper respiratory tract during sleep and the cessation of air flow in the upper respiratory tract, along with the presence of a respiratory effort during this time. In most cases, this narrowing and/or obstruction occurs at the base of the tongue. Obstruction or narrowing occurs when the tongue slides against the posterior pharyngeal wall. In the REM (Rapidly Eye Movement) phase of sleep, the tone of the dilator muscles of the upper airway, especially the genioglossus muscle, decreases and the muscles relax; It is seen that the upper airways become even more narrow and eventually blocked. Thus, breathing becomes more difficult.

Increase in weight of OSA patients; Physical features such as retrognathia, micrognathia, and sleep bruxism (teeth grinding) may be observed. They also appear to have a larger tongue and soft palate, and therefore a smaller respiratory tract.