Providing the Pillar Procedure in Atlanta | Sinus Center of Atlanta
What Causes Sleep Apnea & Snoring?
By Howard Herman, M.D.
There are two types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is caused by tissue in the airway blocking the passage of air during sleep. Central Sleep Apnea is caused by the brain and nervous system affecting the impulse to breathe. Other than in patients with brain injuries, obstructive sleep apnea is far more common and is the focus of this article.
Chronic snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, which is a serious medical condition. An apnea is when you stop breathing for 10 seconds or more with an associated drop in blood oxygen levels. A hypopnea is a pause of 5 seconds or more with an oxygen saturation drop. The number of apneas plus hypopneas per hour is defined as the apnea -hypopnia index or AHI. In general, an AHI of less than 5 is considered normal, 6-14 is mild obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), 15-29 is moderate OSAS, and 30 and over is severe OSAS.
While snoring can be disruptive to bed partners, obstructive sleep apnea is associated with a decrease in REM sleep (deep, restful sleep) for the patient. Sleep deprivation can result in mood swings, lack of concentration and energy, unsafe driving, daytime sleepiness, and weight gain. More serious complications of sleep apnea include an increase in the risk of developing hypertension, heart failure, pulmonary diseases, stroke, heart attacks and cardiac rhythm abnormalities, which is what makes sleep apnea treatment so important to one's health.
The first step to resolving snoring and sleep apnea problems is to understand the cause. Snoring and sleep apnea are caused by disrupted airflow through the upper airway. This can be due to narrowing or collapse at the level of the nose, mouth, oropharynx (back of the throat),base of the tongue, and hypopharynx (tissues at the base of the throat above the larynx or voice box). Patients with snoring and sleep apnea problems often have issues at more than one location. Effective treatment is predicated on a thorough assessment and accurate diagnosis by an Otolaryngologist-Head and Neck Surgeon (ENT) who specializes in the management of snoring and sleep apnea. The mission of Atlanta Snoring Institute is to provide the highest quality and most comprehensive management of snoring and sleep apnea available. We firmly believe that the most effective way to manage sleep disorders is to respect each patient's intelligence and right to participate fully in all treatment decisions. This is accomplished by taking a thorough history including all of the patient's specific concerns, performing a thorough evaluation to determine the likely causes of the patient's problems, and then explaining clearly what treatment options are available. We believe that by offering the full spectrum of effective medical and surgical treatments available, we can partner with patients to achieve the best results possible.
There are two types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is caused by tissue in the airway blocking the passage of air during sleep. Central Sleep Apnea is caused by the brain and nervous system affecting the impulse to breathe. Other than in patients with brain injuries, obstructive sleep apnea is far more common and is the focus of this article.
Chronic snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, which is a serious medical condition. An apnea is when you stop breathing for 10 seconds or more with an associated drop in blood oxygen levels. A hypopnea is a pause of 5 seconds or more with an oxygen saturation drop. The number of apneas plus hypopneas per hour is defined as the apnea -hypopnia index or AHI. In general, an AHI of less than 5 is considered normal, 6-14 is mild obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), 15-29 is moderate OSAS, and 30 and over is severe OSAS.
While snoring can be disruptive to bed partners, obstructive sleep apnea is associated with a decrease in REM sleep (deep, restful sleep) for the patient. Sleep deprivation can result in mood swings, lack of concentration and energy, unsafe driving, daytime sleepiness, and weight gain. More serious complications of sleep apnea include an increase in the risk of developing hypertension, heart failure, pulmonary diseases, stroke, heart attacks and cardiac rhythm abnormalities, which is what makes sleep apnea treatment so important to one's health.
The first step to resolving snoring and sleep apnea problems is to understand the cause. Snoring and sleep apnea are caused by disrupted airflow through the upper airway. This can be due to narrowing or collapse at the level of the nose, mouth, oropharynx (back of the throat),base of the tongue, and hypopharynx (tissues at the base of the throat above the larynx or voice box). Patients with snoring and sleep apnea problems often have issues at more than one location. Effective treatment is predicated on a thorough assessment and accurate diagnosis by an Otolaryngologist-Head and Neck Surgeon (ENT) who specializes in the management of snoring and sleep apnea. The mission of Atlanta Snoring Institute is to provide the highest quality and most comprehensive management of snoring and sleep apnea available. We firmly believe that the most effective way to manage sleep disorders is to respect each patient's intelligence and right to participate fully in all treatment decisions. This is accomplished by taking a thorough history including all of the patient's specific concerns, performing a thorough evaluation to determine the likely causes of the patient's problems, and then explaining clearly what treatment options are available. We believe that by offering the full spectrum of effective medical and surgical treatments available, we can partner with patients to achieve the best results possible.
Patients can often develop a good idea of their problem areas by paying attention to their symptoms. The following guide is designed to help align patient symptoms with possible anatomic causes. Although CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy may be the most effective treatment for many patients with obstructive sleep apnea, here are some more treatment options.