Apnea Treatment

Apnea treatment

       Specialists have classified apnea into three groups: obstructive apnea, central and mixed apnea but in reality, the three may overlap. The most common form is obstructive apnea. It is characterized by reducing the air flow in the upper airways, with the decrease in oxygenk. The causes of this disorder are varied, most commonly are anatomical, weight-related causes but also the sleep position of the patient is a major cause. The most suggestive symptom is related to excessive daytime sleepiness. Sometimes the condition is noted by a partner, worried about the "pauses" in breathing during the night.

Sleep apnea treatment

       Since in 1980 the only method of apnea treatment was tracheostomy. As the time went on, devices were made to improve breathing during the night. The first of these, OPAP's had a mechanical operation scheme by increasing the flow of secondary air mandibular traction. C-PAP (Continuous positive airway pressure) or Bi-level (Bi-PAP) machine is used for several years for the remission of signs and symptoms of moderate to severe forms of obstructive sleep apnea by monitoring the inhale and exhale. The last method of apnea treatment has the advantage that has less pressure during the exhale. Among the surgical methods that have proven eficacity in 50% of cases are uvulo-velo-faringoplastia, miotomia jaw or laser assisted uvuloplastia.

New sleep apnea treatment

       The new methods of correction of the syndrome is frame in the minimally invasive surgery.

       Somnoplastia with radiofrequency larger airway lumen and reduce snoring, allowing a greater amount of air to reach the lung. Recently specialists have begun to test and verify the effectiveness of volumetric reduction of the tongue.

       Nervous implantable pacemaker has a sensor that monitors the patient's breathing and stimulates hipoglos nerve to help muscle activity in order to maintain open airways. The sistem is called Apnex The device is subcutaneously, subclavicular implanted. A distal electrode is attached to the hipoglos nerve in submandibulara region. The device is connected to two sensors set at the chest, which monitors breathing. Thus Apnex combat syndrome in two ways. On the one hand the electrod sends stimulis to genioglos, and on the other hand the chest senzors will send stimuli to the afferent muscle.

Central apnea treatment

       Patients usually respond favorably to extra intake of oxygen during the night. Others respond to acidification by acetazolamide, and recent data suggests a good response to PCPR nasal (as in ASO).

Mixt apnea treatment

       Mixed apnea is a combination of the first two types of apnea representing 50% of all episodes of apnea.

Apnea of prematurity treatment

       Apnea of prematurity is a medical term that refers to brief periods of respiratory silentium appearing in premature newborns. They are facing with some problems after birth, because their body is immature and least prepared to cope with extrauterine life. Respiratory complications are among the most important and dangerous. Apnea treatment is complex and must be very safe for the baby. The treatment depends of the apnea type: central, obstructive or mixed, and depends on the severity and frequency with which the episods of apnea appear. If the infant's general state is satisfactory and appear only a few isolated episodes of apnea, treatment consists only in a mild respiratory stimulation which help baby to recover from apnea.

       If apnea is more severe, however, the apnea treatment consists in the practice of premature mechanical ventilation, oxygen administration, or administration of various medicinal substances to stimulate breathing and prevent occurrence of complications. Oxygen administration must be done with caution, however, not to go to the other extreme, characterized by hiperoxie. Hiperoxia increases the risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity.

       Drug therapy is represented by caffeine, theophylline, aminophylline. These substances are able to stimulate the contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, to increase the sensitivity of upper respiratory centers, to lower the concentrations of oxygen and stimulate the frequency and amplitude of respiration.