Sleep apnea is a common form of sleep-disordered breathing which causes you have one or more pauses in your breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to minutes and causes an ongoing disruption that moves you out of deep sleep and into light sleep. This is why many patients suffering from sleep apnea commonly feel tired even after they have slept all night long.

Many patients who suffer from sleep apnea do not know that they have the condition. You may have sleep apnea if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Sleepiness or lack of energy after a full night’s rest

• Restless sleep patterns

• Loud snoring

• Morning headaches

• Insomnia

• Waking up with a gasping or choking sensation

• Waking up with a sore or dry throat

Your doctor or a sleep specialist can diagnose sleep apnea through a polysomnogram test which records specific physical activities while you sleep and is performed either at a sleep center or your home. Some patients who are diagnosed with sleep apnea are able to treat their condition at home by changing certain behaviors or utilizing dental devices. However, some sleep apnea cases are better solved through a surgical procedure performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

You may benefit from the surgical treatment of sleep apnea if:

• Your sleep apnea cannot be corrected with lifestyle changes such as weight loss, alcohol avoidance, smoking cessation or side sleeping

• You experience discomfort or pain utilizing mouthpieces

• You do not experience success or feel uncomfortable utilizing breathing devices, such as the CPAP machine

If your doctor determines that your sleep apnea is best treated through surgery, you will have an initial consultation with one of our skilled surgeons to determine the best method of surgical treatment. Generally, the surgeon will widen your breathing passages by shrinking, stiffening, or removing excess tissue in the mouth and throat, or by resetting the position of the lower jaw. Your procedure may be performed in our office or in a hospital depending on the severity of your condition.

If you think that you may be a candidate to treat your sleep apnea problems with a surgical procedure and want to enjoy the benefits of a sound night’s sleep, please call us at Northeast Surgical Specialists. Dr. Condry and Dr. Kelling have extensive surgical training and our highly trained staff is happy to assist you throughout the process at either of our two office locations in Queensbury and Saratoga Springs, NY. Please call us today to set up an initial consultation.

Northeast Surgical Specialists maintains two office locations in Queensbury & Saratoga Springs, NY, and offers various oral surgical procedures and treatments, including the treatment of sleep apnea. Drs. Condry and Kelling service all of Warren and Saratoga Counties including Greenfield Center, Saratoga, Clifton Park, Milton, Hudson Falls, Galway, Glens Falls, Lake George, Corinth, Queensbury, South Glens Falls, Malta, Ballston Spa, Schroon Lake, Gansevoort, Granville, Warrensbury, Cambridge, Wilton, Mechanicville, Fort Ann, Hoosick Falls, Saranac Lake, Ballston Lake, Gloversville, Burnt Hills, Greenwich, Lake Placid, and Ticonderoga.

More Information about Corrective Treatment for Sleep Apnea:

• AAOMS

• Wikipedia

• YouTube

If you just want to ask a few questions, give us a call. You can find all the ways to contact us here. We look forward to hearing from you.