Sleep Apnea - Kirkland, Bellevue & Seattle

What causes Sleep Apnea

Let’s begin by defining our terms. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a condition where part of the breathing passage collapses on itself during sleep. This results in either an outright stoppage of breathing (apnea) or a significant “shallowing” of the breathing (hypopnea). If these episodes occur frequently enough and with a significant duration, then a person may in fact spend a considerable percentage of their sleep time with inadequate breathing. The result is a drop in blood-oxygen level which poses a serious risk for hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. The serious sleep disruptions caused by sleep apnea frequently lead to chronic daytime fatigue and other chronic problems.

Sleep apnea and snoring are actually on the same spectrum of disease, with the sleep apnea itself ranging from mild to severe, depending upon the number of times a patient stops breathing for each hour of sleep. On the spectrum, people who have simple snoring are at one end, and patients with severe sleep apnea are at the other end.

If you think you may have sleep apnea, it represents a potentially major health risk that needs to be evaluated and effectively treated or cured.

Treating Sleep Apnea with Somnofix

Somnofix™ was developed by a team of doctors with extensive experience in the evaluation and treatment of snoring and sleep apnea. This program offers the latest comprehensive treatment options available.

As highly regarded head & neck surgeons, the doctors at NW Face Medical have the experience and expertise to be able to objectively evaluate the upper airway. We’re also able to offer highly cost-effective and accurate sleep studies. We feel strongly that there is a large amount of inconsistency in how people with possible obstructive sleep apnea are evaluated and treated. The treatment options given to individuals often don’t directly address the individual’s specific problem.

Our philosophy is that the treatment of a patient with a potential sleep apnea disorder must begin with a comprehensive assessment of the entire upper airway, and also include the information obtained from a sleep study. In recent years, the technology for performing outpatient, at-home sleep studies has progressed to the extent that an accurate and comprehensive study can be routinely achieved. You’ll be asked to fill out a comprehensive questionnaire to assist in this. Click here to download the questionnaire so that you can fill it out prior to your visit.

If you’re diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, your treatment options will vary. This can range from medical approach with use of Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) therapy, to a surgical approach. With carefully selected treatment options based on a thorough upper airway exam and objective testing, we are able to offer a high rate of resolution and patient satisfaction.* Our surgical techniques are highly effective at solving the problems of both snoring and sleep apnea. In many cases, patients will no longer need to use a bulky, uncomfortable CPAP machine.

Sleep Apnea Surgery

We use a surgical procedure called Somnoplasty to afford patients a virtually painless therapy for sleep apnea. By reducing and tightening the obstructive tissue in the back of the mouth, we’re able to markedly reduce snoring in the vast majority of patients. To learn more about Somnofix at NW Face Medical, contact us today.