Sleep Apnea: If you have it and got surgery for it, did it improve things?
397956
Sorry to hear about your husbands problem. How can you sleep next to him with all the snoring and always waiting for the next stop. I Hope the machine helps on this.  The operation is bound to improve the general situation drastically as he will most likely get rid of the machine. He will also get some good sleep again and with this being fitter during the day. By saying it will not be and "end all" solution, I think the doc means, nothing can be guaranteed and while the collapsing velum is a common cause for the apnea, it could be caused by factors.\nGood luck to both of you!
104661
Hi!! I can MORE than adequately answer your question.\nI have been a Registered Respiratory Therapist for 13 years. There are several reasons why people snore. \n\nOne of these reasons is because you may have what is known as a deviated nasal septum, which can sometimes be severe enough to require nose surgery to correct this problem. You can test yourself for this at home.\n\nPlug ONE of your nostrils, and try to breath in and out through the open nostril. Do this with BOTH nostrils. This will rule out a deviated nasal septum. \n\nYou may very likely have what is known as SLEEP APNEA!! I've worked with many patients who Literally STOP BREATHING for a certain amount of time, (usually just seconds,) intermitantly during sleep!! You may stop breathing for a few seconds, then silence, then suddenly your body will react buy a GASPING for air kind of noise. This is not just snoring, this is a REAL PROBLEM, depending on how LONG you stop breathing.\n\nThis APNEA can be caused by an Obstruction withing the nasal area, such as a deviated nasal septum. It can also be caused by obesity, or it can be inherited. \n\nYou need to go see either a LUNG Doctor, (Pulmonologist,) or and Ear Nose and Throat Specialist, and get x-rays to determine if you have an anatomical problem blocking your airway during sleep. You may also notice that you will wake up with HEADACHES alot in the morning, even Migraines!! Thise is caused by a Lack of Oxygen to the brain, caused by just a FEW SECONDS of NOT BREATHING!! \n\nGet it checked out, but be careful NOT to hurry into Surgery, alot of times nasal surgeries will help the problem for a WHILE, but it is usually not permanent.\n\nIF you are diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, your Doctor may want you to wear a type of "mask", nasal inserts, (not permanent,) or a device that actually goes into your mouth to keep your tongue from rolling back and blocking your airway better. NO..........PEOPLE CANNOT SWALLOW THIER TONGUES!!! But the tongue can roll back and block your airway.\n\nAnother option I just learned about last year is that you can go to a VERY GOOD orthodontist who specializes in making a MOLD to fit inside your mouth at night, it is designed to lift your jaw up and out a bit, (it isn't uncomfortable,) and this position ALONE will ultimately keep your airway open, without having having to deal with a CPAP machine. CPAP machines are used with the items I mentioned above, and is either a constant flow of Positive Airway pressure to keep your airway open AND helps to expand smaller airways deeper inside the lungs and keep them OPEN the whole time you are sleeping!! \n\nMake sure to get this checked out asap, because every second you do not breath at night, you wouldn't believe how many brain cells are killed because of not getting enough oxgyen. \n\nYOu can also try sleeping on your side, either side, this helps to keep the tongue out of the way as well.\n\nCall you family Doctor and discuss how you feel. If you do not have a significant other that sleeps next to you, you can tape yourself while you sleep to see if you DO stop breathing. \n\nBut don't wait...............go see your family doctor NOW anyway. Snoring is not normal, and usually needs to be treated in some way. Okay???\n\nPromise you will make an appointment to see your doctor!!!!!\nIf you are a smoker, STOP IT RIGHT NOW!! \n\nI hope this helps you out!! \n\nTake care, and God Bless.\n\nStefanie
738249
The only thing that I have ever found to work is the breath right strips. They work really well. When I use to go on vacation with my family I would always share one of the rooms with someone in my family that snored profusly. I suggested that he wear the breath right strip and I never heard a peep out of him.. Good Luck!!!
994734
I was 27 when I had mine taken out.  They kept me over night as a precaution.  I happened to work in the medical field at the time and there was a code in the room next to mine.  I sat straight up in bed when they called the code over the house speakers and went into action as if I was working.  The respiratory therapist was looking for an ambu bag that should be above the head of every bed.  I grabbed the one from my room and handed it to her out the door.  As far as the tonsillectomy, I did fine.   No more infections either - imagine that.  LOL.  Just get it done by a good ENT.  You'll be glad you did.  Get LOTS of popsicles!
1048279
ONE WAY IS TO GO TO A SLEEP CLINIC AND VARIFY THE APNEA AND IF SO, GET A BREATHING MACHINE PRESCRIBED TO HELP YOU BREATH BETTER AT NIGHT.
672390
My uncle has sleep apnea he has never taken drugs for it though.  He does use a breathing machine that gently forces air into you nose. he says he sleeps much better now.\n-------\n\n\n\nTreatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) includes lifestyle changes, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) (to prevent the airway from closing during sleep), and surgery. The goals of treatment are to relieve symptoms such as snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness and prevent other problems, such as high blood pressure. Your doctor will base your treatment on how severe your sleep apnea is. \n\nGenerally, your doctor will have you try lifestyle changes and CPAP first. Surgery is an option only if these do not work. \n\nYou may need to be treated for other health problems before you are treated for sleep apnea. For example, people who also have infections need to take antibiotics. People who have an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) need to take thyroid medicine.\n\nChildren have the same treatment options as adults. However, surgery (tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy) generally is the first choice because enlarged tonsils or adenoids cause most cases of sleep apnea in children. Children are treated using CPAP if surgery is not possible or does not work.
628096
The following steps help many people who have sleep apnea sleep better:\n\nStop all use of alcohol or sleep medicines. These relax the muscles in the back of your throat, making it harder for you to breathe. \nIf you smoke, quit smoking. \nIf you are overweight, lose weight. \nSleep on your side instead of on your back. \n\nA common treatment for sleep apnea is called "continuous positive airway pressure," or CPAP. For this treatment, you wear a special mask over your nose and mouth while you are sleeping. The mask will keep your airway open by adding pressure to the air you breathe. It helps most people who have sleep apnea.\n\nIn very few cases, surgery is necessary to remove tonsils or extra tissue from the throat.
1159108
No, it messes up my sleep patterns.  It did not work.  Now, I sleep fine.  Good luck and God bless.
388129
the way i read your question is yes you do  fit the characteristics for sleep apnea by your ex telling you that you would stop breathing. that is the main part of apnea.
242223
snoring is a sign of sleep apnia, if it is real bad then get it checked out with a sleep study
554184
You need to participate in a sleep-study or sleep-diagnostic counseling.  The doctor/counselor should be able to recommend things you can do or take to help with your sleep apnea.
746457
I'm a little less than 100 lbs and I snore loud. I don't deny any accusations, I already know I snore. I've snored so loud before that I have waken myself up.
288712
If you're overweight, that's a major contributing factor. Lose weight and I guarantee your snoring will improve.\n\nBeyond that, get with your Doctor and go for an overnight sleep study. I had the same problem. My wife wore earplugs for years. I finally went for the sleep study and found that I had sleep apnea. Was actually "waking" 40+ times an hour. That would explain why I was tired all the time even though I thought I was getting 7-8 hours of sleep a night.\n\nI started using a CPAP machine about 6 years ago. Don't snore any more, wife doesn't wear ear plugs any more and I sleep like a baby and never get tired during the day.\n\nYou can check out the link below for additional info on Apnea and CPAP machines.
691308
my uncle has sleep apnia, (however you spell it) and just so you know, he has been to iraq and back and is doing just fine, it shouldnt hold you back from going, but it is always a possibility.... hopefully all goes well and you will be able to go though.
11645
Your boyfriend needs to seriously consider testing for sleep apnea, especially if the snoring seems to be throat-based.  I'll just bet he has it, too.  Age is not a factor; I am told kids as young as 12 can have it.\n\nI have it and didn't know it.  For me, it wasn't a snoring issue; it was an issue with not getting a restful night's sleep.  I'd wake up in the morning and feel completely exhausted.\n\nI was tested three years ago and was shocked to find out that I stopped breathing 30 times in three hours, which essentially woke me up.  When the clinic stirred me, they put me on a CPAP (controlled positive air pressure machine) and I fell into deep REM sleep for the first time in I can't remember.  Since then, I use the CPAP every night and sleep like a baby.  You will, too.\n\nI can't stress enough the health implications of this beyond the lack of sleep.  It is a severe drag on the heart and respiratory system.\n\nI can't speak to your financial issues, but medical insurance should cover this if your doctor makes the referral.\n\nAccording to my doctor, surgery has only a 35% success rate.  I didn't like those odds.  My experience with Breathe-Rite strips was largely negative although they were helpful when I was at the gym (-:
111017
I also had the surgery about 6 years ago now, so I imagine that technology has greatly improved since then. I really didn't experience any pain with the procedure, but it was a little weird. It worked great and is still working. Usually they tell you you can't do certain things for like a month afterwards while your eye heals up completely, but I suppose it depends on what type of surgery you are getting (they have different kinds now.) I'd say go for it. It's great not to have to wear glasses or contacts.
344775
I suggest you try the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association's website.  The correct treatment depends on the cause of your snoring and they have simple tests on their site that will help you find what's causing your problem and so help you tailor the treatment accordingly.  They are also very nice people so you can give them a call if the website is not crystal clear.\n\nHope that helps.