Surgical and non-surgical treatment of sleep apnea in Tunja, Colombia

What is obstructive sleep apnea?

It is repeated closure of the airway during sleep, causing breathing pauses. Signs include loud snoring, pauses noticed by a partner, waking up gasping, daytime fatigue and sleepiness, and morning headaches. Untreated, it raises the risk of high blood pressure, heart problems and accidents.

How is it diagnosed?

With a sleep study (polysomnography or home respiratory polygraphy) that measures pauses per hour. The nose, throat and jaw position are also evaluated to find where the airway is blocked.

What non-surgical treatments exist?

CPAP, a device that keeps the airway open with pressurized air, is the most effective treatment for moderate and severe cases. Mandibular advancement devices made by a dentist, weight loss, avoiding alcohol at night and sleeping on your side also help.

When is surgery considered?

When the person cannot tolerate CPAP or there is a clear anatomical cause. Options range from nose, tonsil and palate surgery to maxillomandibular advancement, which moves both jaws forward to widen the airway and has very good results in selected cases.

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