What do surgeons do if you have sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea surgery involves procedures to physically alter tissues or bones in the airway to keep it open during sleep, ranging from removing soft palate/throat tissue (UPPP, LAUP) or reducing tongue size (midline glossectomy, RFA) to repositioning the jaw (MMA) or implanting devices like hypoglossal nerve stimulators (Inspire) that gently move the tongue, with options tailored to the specific cause of obstruction, which can also include nasal surgery or weight loss surgery.

How do they do surgery if you have sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea surgeries aim to widen the airway by removing tissue (like tonsils/uvula in UPPP), repositioning structures (Maxillomandibular Advancement), shrinking tissue (tongue reduction/radiofrequency), or implanting devices (hypoglossal nerve stimulator, palate implants), with options ranging from minimally invasive to major procedures, often chosen when CPAP fails, to address blockages from the soft palate, tongue, or jaw.
 

What happens if you stop breathing while under anesthesia?

If you stop breathing during anesthesia (apnea), your anesthesiologist immediately intervenes with a breathing tube (endotracheal tube) or mask to manually ventilate you with oxygen, preventing serious brain damage (hypoxia/anoxia) from oxygen deprivation, which can cause cognitive issues, memory loss, or worse; this is usually managed quickly with monitoring and interventions like ventilators or reversal agents, but serious outcomes can happen if it's not handled fast enough, especially in high-risk patients like those with sleep apnea.
 

Can sleep apnea be cured surgically?

Yes, there are several surgical options for sleep apnea, which aim to widen the airway by removing or repositioning tissue in the throat (like tonsils, soft palate, uvula), adjusting tongue position, or using implants/stimulators, often used when CPAP isn't tolerated or effective, but success varies by patient and anatomy. Common procedures include Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) for throat tissue, Genioglossus Advancement for the tongue, Hyoid Suspension, Nasal Surgeries (Septoplasty, Turbinate Reduction), and implanted Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulators.
 

How painful is sleep apnea surgery?

Sleep apnea surgery involves significant throat pain and soreness for a few weeks, especially when eating or talking, but pain is managed with prescribed medications, and the level of discomfort varies by procedure. Common surgeries like UPPP (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) cause considerable throat pain, while newer options like Inspire might have less post-operative pain, though all involve general anesthesia during the procedure itself. Recovery involves a soft diet, cool liquids, and avoiding strenuous activity to help manage pain and promote healing.
 

Surgical Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

What is the 3% rule for sleep apnea?

Sleep hypopnea is defined as a drop of ≥30% in breathing amplitude and in oxygen saturation >3% (AASMedicine), or >4% (CMMS). This study reveals a systematic bias, with the 3% criterion consistently yielding higher apnea/hypopnea index values.

Can people with sleep apnea go under anesthesia?

Yes, you can have general anesthesia with sleep apnea, but it's considered higher risk and requires special precautions because anesthesia further slows breathing and relaxes airway muscles, worsening apnea symptoms and making recovery harder; you must inform your anesthesiologist so they can closely monitor you before, during, and especially after surgery, potentially using your CPAP device and adjusting medications. 

Why do anesthesiologists ask if you snore?

Snore. If your snoring is caused by sleep apnea – in which breathing is interrupted during sleep – anesthesia is riskier because it slows breathing and increases sensitivity to side effects. Sleep apnea also can make it more difficult for you to regain consciousness after surgery.

What are the chances of not waking up from anesthesia?

The chance of not waking up from anesthesia (meaning death or severe harm) is extremely low, often cited as less than 1 in 100,000 for healthy individuals, but it's more common to experience a slow or "delayed" awakening, where you wake up but take longer than expected, due to factors like drug effects, surgery length, age, or health conditions. While true "anesthesia awareness" (waking up during surgery) is also rare (1-2 in 1,000 cases), it's a different phenomenon from not waking up at all, and it usually involves awareness without pain, but can be distressing. Modern anesthesia and monitoring make it very safe, but your overall health and the surgery's complexity play a big role. 

How do anesthesiologists deal with sleep apnea?

Your doctors can select types of anesthesia and pain medications that are less likely to worsen your sleep apnea. You also will be watched closely after surgery. This may involve extra monitoring equipment to ensure that you maintain safe breathing and oxygen levels.

Who cannot go under anesthesia?

In addition to the elderly, people who have conditions such as heart disease (especially congestive heart failure), Parkinson's disease, or Alzheimer's disease, or who have had a stroke before are also more at risk. It's important to tell the anesthesiologist if you have any of these conditions.

How did Shaq fix his sleep apnea?

Like many sufferers, Shaq was unaware that he had sleep apnea until his partner told him about his pattern of snoring and gasping for breath. After completing a sleep study and being diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea, Shaq was fitted with a CPAP mask to get a better night's rest.

Can you get IV sedation if you have sleep apnea?

Although most forms of sedation do not put you to sleep, they do tend to slow down your breathing, and sometimes patients can feel relaxed enough to fall asleep during treatment. IV sedation, in particular, is bad for those who have sleep apnea, a condition that interrupts regular breathing during sleep.

What organs are affected by sleep apnea?

How sleep apnea affects your health

• Heart and blood vessel diseases, such as atrial fibrillation, atherosclerosis, difficult-to-control high blood pressure, heart attack, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and stroke.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
• Chronic kidney disease.
• Dementia in older adults.

Can you snore under general anesthesia?

Yes, people often snore or make snoring-like sounds (gasping, snorting) under anesthesia because anesthetic drugs relax throat muscles, causing airway collapse similar to sleep snoring, but this is a key issue for anesthesiologists to manage with airways, masks, or breathing tubes to ensure oxygen flow. Snoring during sedation can indicate a need for closer monitoring due to risks like sleep apnea, where airways are already prone to blocking. 

Can I have surgery if I snore?

There are, in fact, a number of surgical options for people who struggle with chronic snoring or sleep apnea. “When we're thinking about surgery, we first have to determine which part of the airway is causing the obstruction that's leading to snoring,” says Dr.

What is the 2 4 6 rule for anesthesia?

The 2-4-6 rule for anesthesia is a guideline for preoperative fasting, indicating how long patients should abstain from food and drink before surgery to prevent aspiration (inhaling stomach contents): 2 hours for clear liquids, 4 hours for breast milk, and 6 hours for formula or light meals, with heavier meals requiring longer (often 8+). This evidence-based rule, established by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), replaces older "NPO after midnight" mandates, allowing for shorter, safer fasting times for most healthy patients. 

What are four symptoms of sleep apnea?

4 Signs You Might Have Sleep Apnea

• You're a Noisy Sleeper. Snoring, snorting or gasping: Noisy sleep is a warning sign that your upper airway might be obstructed. ...
• You're Restless During Sleep. ...
• You're Always Tired. ...
• You Fit the Profile.

What happens if you stop breathing during surgery?

Anoxia is the medical term for an absence of oxygen. When anoxia occurs, there are several complications that have the potential to arise. Some of these complications include mental confusion, amnesia, hallucinations, memory loss, personality changes, and more.

What should you not do if you have sleep apnea?

With sleep apnea, avoid alcohol, smoking, sleeping on your back, and certain foods (fatty meats, high-fat dairy, bananas near bedtime) that worsen symptoms; also watch for medications like muscle relaxants that can suppress breathing, and manage weight, as obesity is a major risk factor. Focus on side sleeping, healthy diet, consistent treatment (like CPAP), and regular exercise to manage the condition effectively, according to Carle.org and Falmouth Dentistry.
 

Can you have surgery if you have mild sleep apnea?

Patients with sleep apnea, either obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central, or mixed sleep apnea, may undergo surgery that necessitates an anesthetic and, because of this disorder, will require special care associated with the anesthestic.

How many times per hour does a person with sleep apnea stop breathing?

The amount of time that a sleep apnea patient stops breathing can be from 10 seconds to two minutes or more. These breathing "stoppages" can happen a few times per hour or, in more severe cases, 60-100 times per hour or to the point where someone spends more time NOT breathing than they are breathing.

How do navy seals fall asleep so quickly?

Navy SEALs fall asleep quickly by mastering relaxation techniques like the Military Sleep Method, which involves deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation (tensing and releasing body parts), and visualization (imagining peaceful scenes) to calm the nervous system, plus using specific "power nap" tactics like the "Legs Up" position for quick rejuvenation in demanding situations. These techniques, practiced over weeks, train the body and mind to switch off rapidly, even under stress.
 

How many pillows for sleep apnea?

For those with sleep apnea, the goal is to keep the airways open during sleep. Elevating the head slightly can help, but using too many pillows can cause the head to tilt forward, potentially worsening the condition. One or two pillows offering firm support and aligning the head and neck are usually recommended.