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Sleep New forms of therapy can provide help against snoring and sleep apnea
Sleep disorders are among the most common popular ailments in Germany. Many adults between the ages of 30 and 60 find it difficult to fall asleep, others wake up at night and feel tired and chipped during the day. Reasons for this: nocturnal snoring or sleep-induced respiratory disorders, also called sleep apnea. The term describes life-threatening respiratory misfires that occur more than ten times per hour and last for more than ten seconds. A healthy sleep is disturbed.
"We help patients with innovative and minimally invasive methods of oral surgery that eliminate the need to wear a mask or splint by night. Sleeping comfort is no longer limited by this, "Dr. Dr. Manfred Nilius, M. Sc., Specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery and Head of the Praxisklinik Nilius in Dortmund.
Diseased sleep makes you sick
Many reasons play a role in snoring or sleep apnea. They are caused by flaccid muscles of the palate and the uvula, the tongue falls back, blocks the pharynx during sleep and impairs breathing. But a back-up lower jaw is a trigger for nocturnal breathing. Furthermore, alcohol and obesity promote sleep apnea. In obesity, fat also lodges in the tissue of the upper respiratory tract and thus hinders breathing. "In addition, an enlarged tongue or large tonsils can narrow the throat," explains Dr. Nilius.
New therapeutic approaches to snoring. Picture: Bilderzwerg - Fotolia It comes as a result both to a disruption of the oxygen supply to the brain, as well as in other important organs. The brain responds immediately: it causes an increased heart rate, blood pressure rises and those affected wake up several times during the night, urgently needed deep sleep is interrupted. This not only sets a constant daytime tiredness and lack of concentration, but it comes in the long term to complaints such as cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, headaches and strokes.
Free breathing thanks to tongue implant
Often a change in lifestyle such as a change in diet leads to a relief of the symptoms and a better sleep. Nevertheless, experts advise to first visit a sleep laboratory to diagnose causes and initiate appropriate therapies. There are many new possibilities here. "Thus, the novel tongue implant is an effective and minimally invasive procedure that does not affect the affected person during the day when chewing, talking or swallowing," Dr. Nilius. Here, under general anesthetic experts bring an elastic band in the tongue base, which is attached there with a loop at each end, and thus prevent the tongue from falling backwards during sleep. As a rule, four implants are used, the procedure lasts at most 45 minutes. Within four to six weeks, the outer loops of biocompatible material fused with the surrounding tissue, the implant contracts slowly and evenly and acts like a support for the tongue.
Radiofrequency tightens soft palate
In addition, an operative tightening of the soft palate tissue can remedy this, if this is too far down and comes as an anatomical cause of snoring in question. In the soft palate plastic surgery, also called UVPP, the doctor shortens the anterior and posterior soft palate arch as well as the uvula. Here, experts now also combine radiofrequency therapy with soft palate plastic surgery. High-dose radio waves create artificial scarring on the soft palate, which in turn leads to a stiffening and lower vibration of the affected area. "With the radio frequency technology, we work very precisely and gently. Patients notice a noticeable improvement in breathing immediately after a 45-minute procedure and quickly return to everyday life, "Dr. Nilius.