Sleep Apnea and Tonsils
Sleep apnea can be caused by several things, including the tonsils. Oversized tonsils and excess tissue in the upper airway can block breathing, resulting in sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of the disease involving the tonsils. Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea due to obstruction from tonsils include:
• Personality changes
• Daytime sleepiness
• Depression
• Falling asleep while at the wheel
• Constantly waking up during sleep
• Failure to achieve deep sleep
• Headaches
• High blood pressure
• Impotence
• Memory loss
• Obesity
• Snoring
• Tiredness
Treatment possibilities for obstructive sleep apnea include lifestyle changes, sleeping while wearing a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, or surgery, possibly taking out the tonsils. Lifestyle changes or treatment for other responsible health problems are the simplest treatments and are usually the first options. A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine is a second option. The last option is surgery.
Tonsils are the growths of tissue at the rear of the throat. Their job is to block bacteria from entering the throat and infection prevention. Swollen glands, sore throat, and sleep apnea can result from irritated or infected tonsils.
An overnight polysomnography, or sleep study, can make an accurate obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis. A sleep study takes place at a sleep study clinic. Breathing patterns, heart rhythm, oxygen use, an EKG, and other body function tests during sleep allow a doctor to determine the cause and best treatment alternative.
“Apnea” is a Greek word meaning “without wind.” Medically, “apnea” defines short pauses or interruptions in breathing patterns during sleep. With obstructive sleep apnea, the soft tissue at the back of the throat relaxes, blocking the airway and resulting in an apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea, but there are two other types: central sleep apnea and mixed sleep apnea. Regardless of the type of sleep apnea, the sleeper hardly ever realizes they are having difficulty breathing during sleep.
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