Through the Airways to a Better and Better Sleep
Sleep apnea is a condition that occurs when the upper respiratory tract is poorly patency or blocked.
Sleep apnea is a condition that occurs when the upper respiratory tract is poorly patency or blocked.
This condition can seriously affect your health. Shortness of breath in your sleep can be tiring for your body, which becomes more exhausted over time. Since it is necessary to invest more energy for simple activities (walking, standing up, bending over), people with apnea often encounter fatigue and an inability to recover.
Poor oxygen supply and difficult air circulation through the airways can cause problems with high blood pressure and the potential development of arrhythmias.
Apnea-induced fatigue can cause hypersomnolence, a disorder that makes you sleep excessively during the day. This phenomenon is considered extremely dangerous to drive. Sleeping behind the wheel is often the cause of fatal traffic accidents, and apnea can be one of the reasons for such an outcome.
There are various factors that can be responsible for the onset of sleep apnea. For the most part, these are everyday habits that harm our health, and thus the quality of our sleep.
Therefore, apnea can be caused by:
Overweight people are under greater strain and breathe through their mouths more often, so sleep apnea is possible.
Refined foods high in sugar cause increased secretion production that can make it difficult to breathe.
By sleeping on our backs, we breathe more often through the mouth and prevent the unhindered passage of air.
Tobacco products dry out the mucous membranes, which leads to increased production of secretions and frequent breathing through the mouth in order to better supply the body with oxygen. Alcohol, on the other hand, dehydrates the body, which also leads to drying of the mucous membranes, but also difficulty breathing.
Sleeping pills further relax the muscles in the throat and increase the possibility of blocking the airways.
In the elderly, it is normal for muscles to relax and weaken, so the possibility of developing apnea is higher.
At the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic, we carry out several diagnostic procedures that can be used to detect possible problems caused by sleep apnea:
Polygraphy is one of the methods by which we monitor your vital functions. Upon arrival at the clinic, you will be handed a device that will read the necessary data during sleep.
The apparatus consists of a chest strap, a nasal cannula and a finger probe. These devices record heart rate, blood oxygen levels, airflow, and breathing patterns.
The device is returned to the polyclinic the next day, and the results obtained are used to give an adequate diagnosis and detect possible apnea.
Polysomnography is a method of testing sleep that is performed during one night in a hospital setting. For a period of at least 6 hours, your vital functions during sleep will be recorded. You come to the polyclinic in the evening so that the results obtained are as close as possible to real circumstances.
The tests are performed under the supervision of a technician who records parameters such as heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen level and airflow through the mouth and nose.
The obtained results are used to provide an adequate diagnosis and further treatment of possible disorders.
Endoscopy in a dream observes the dynamics of your airways.
Before the examination, you are given a sleeping pill, and after you fall asleep, we start with an examination of the upper respiratory tract. We observe possible thickening of tissues, nasal deviations or narrowing in the area of the soft palate. The examination is performed with the use of a flexible endoscope and lasts about 2 hours. Before the examination, it is necessary to fill out the anesthesia form and give your consent, which shows that you agree with the procedure and possible complications.
There are several solutions to treat sleep apnea:
A dental sleep splint is an adequate solution for mild and moderate problems with snoring or apnea. We use the Somnodent dental splint, one of the preparations for the treatment of apnea, and it is also known as MRA (mandible repositioning device).
A dental splint prevents the tongue, larynx or tonsils from blocking the airways.
Some of the features of the Somnodent dental splint are:
The dental splint is worn during the night, and moving the lower jaw by a maximum of 1 centimeter frees up space, which allows easier breathing and ultimately better quality sleep.
Apnea can occur due to irregularities in the structure of the upper respiratory tract such as deviated septum, polyps in the nose or hypertrophy of the nasal concha.
These phenomena are treated with surgeries. Thanks to the development of medicine and technology, these procedures are performed using minimally invasive techniques. Surgeries do not cause major complications, and you can return to daily activities in a short period of time.
For nose surgeries, we use basic surgical tools, as well as laser and radiofrequency devices that remove or deform excess thickened tissue with minimal incisions.
Nasal surgeries are performed under the action of general anesthesia, so the procedures are completely painless. After the operation, you will be discharged to home care with postoperative instructions for a speedy recovery. If the operation is carried out correctly, recovery after nose surgery generally does not cause major complications. Standard side effects such as infection, allergic reaction or bleeding are possible.
Although the behavior of the soft palate and uvula is largely responsible for snoring, in a small number of cases we opt for this type of surgery. Removing part of the palate, tongue or uvula can have serious consequences for speech and swallowing, and it is not excluded that snoring problems reappear.
Soft palate and uvula surgery provides additional space in the oral cavity, which makes the airways passable, and thus the chances of snoring are reduced.
Positional therapy is useful if sleep apnea is caused by sleeping on your back. Placing the device on the back of the door creates unpleasant vibrations every time you turn on your back. The resulting vibrations force you to change position , allowing you to breathe smoothly and get a good night’s sleep.
A CPAP machine allows the airways to be open during sleep. The apparatus consists of a pump and a mask. The mask is positioned on the mouth and nose, and the positive pressure from the pump keeps the airways passable.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia
This therapy seeks to instruct the patient in methods that allow him to fall asleep faster. Breathing exercises, visualization and relaxation exercises are just some of the methods that can result in healthier and better quality sleep.
Apnea can be prevented by changing habits that harm not only your sleep, but also your overall health.
If you adhere to the following guidelines, you reduce the chance of developing apnea:
If you follow these guidelines, you can ensure quality sleep and make your body healthier, more energetic and ready for new efforts.
At the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic, we take care of the quality of your sleep. We are aware of how much undisturbed sleep is necessary for proper functioning during the day. From physical activities to mental challenges, a quality and regular sleep rhythm will keep you healthier, more energetic and cheerful.
Sleep apnea is one of the primary reasons for poor sleep quality, and the appearance of loud snoring can also disrupt the sleep of your loved ones. Therefore, ensure yourself and your loved ones a peaceful and quality sleep and make an appointment for an examination.
Treating apnea will eliminate issues like sleep suffocation and breathing cessation, allowing your loved ones to sleep peacefully and without worry.
Make an appointment today by calling +3851 2444 646 or filling out our online form.
The main goal of LF Polyclinic is to improve the quality of life and health of our clients by providing them with top-notch healthcare services.
