Oral Appliance Can Help With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

In the September 2009 edition of Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, there was a research paper entitled "An Investigation of Upper Airway Changes Associated with Mandibular Advancement Device Using Sleep Video Fluoroscopy in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea" where use of an oral appliance was found to significantly improve obstructive sleep apnea. The oral appliance increased retropalatal and retrolingual spaces as well as decreased the length of the soft palate and the angle of mouth opening.

Increased retropalatal space and decreased length of the soft palate is similar to what is accomplished by the surgical procedure uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP).

Increased retrolingual space is similar to what is accomplished by the base of tongue reduction surgery.

Click here to read more about this research.

Click here to read more about OSA and its treatment.

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WSJ Article on Sleep Disorders Including Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The WSJ published a story on June 9, 2009 on sleep disorders including obstructive sleep apnea or OSA for short.

Read the story here.

Read more about OSA here.

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Brains of People with OSA Similar to People Dying or Severe Stroke

Sufferers of obstructive sleep apnea experience similar changes in brain biochemistry as people who have had a severe stroke or who are dying, new research showed published in the May 2009 edition of Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism. Apparently, when oxygen desaturation >10% occurs, a significant and severe disorder occurs to the brain bioenergetics, even if transient.

This research (determined by using MRI) does suggest that OSA does impair brain function much more severely than once thought.

For those who have untreated OSA, please see your physician and get this treated!!!

Read more about this here.

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Exercises of the Mouth and Throat Improves Sleep Apnea!!!

In the May 2009 edition of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, a research article claimed that regular exercises involving the tongue, soft palate, and lateral pharyngeal wall significantly improves obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) both objectively and subjectively.

The exercises mainly consisted of playing a wind instrument known as didgeridoo. Patients randomized to these exercises had a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in neck circumference (39.6 +/- 3.6 vs. 38.5 +/- 4.0 cm), snoring frequency (4 [4-4] vs. 3 [1.5-3.5]), snoring intensity (3 [3-4] vs. 1 [1-2]), daytime sleepiness (14 +/- 5 vs. 8 +/- 6), sleep quality score (10.2 +/- 3.7 vs. 6.9 +/- 2.5), and OSAS severity (apnea-hypopnea index, 22.4 +/- 4.8 vs. 13.7 +/- 8.5 events/h). Changes in neck circumference correlated inversely with changes in apnea-hypopnea index (r = 0.59; P < 0.001). This may be a great (and non-invasive) adjunctive treatment for OSA! Click here to read more.

Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 00660777).

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Dr. Chang Featured in Local Newspaper Talking About Surgical Treatment for OSA

Dr. Chang was recently featured in the Fauquier Times-Democrat (April 3, 2009) in an article discussing surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Click the image for a larger view to read.

You can also read the full text here.

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New Webpage on Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

A new webpage has been added to our website describing the uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) procedure to address patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Patients who pursue surgical options to treat OSA have usually tried and failed to tolerate CPAP mask use. Click here for more info.

Other surgical procedures we provide to treat OSA include:
• Base of Tongue Reduction
• Lingual Tonsillectomy
• Pillar Procedure
• Coblation Palatoplasty
• Injection Snoreplasty
• Septoplasty
• Turbinate Reduction
• Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy

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New Webpage on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

A new webpage has been created describing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its treatment. OSA is a serious medical condition suggested by severe snoring that may lead to increased risk of hypertension, heart attack, stroke, and even death. Click here to read more about how to diagnose and correct this problem.

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New Video on the Sleep Study

A new video has been uploaded to our YouTube channel describing what exactly happens when you go to a sleep center to get a sleep study done. Sleep studies are often prescribed by your physician when there is some concern that a patient may have a sleep disturbance like obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring, apneas, morning headaches, daytime tiredness are some common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea which may lead to higher risk of stroke, heart attacks, hypertension, and even death unless corrected.

This video was produced in cooperation with Commonwealth Sleep Center in Gainesville, VA. Check it out here or watch it below:

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New Webpage on Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy (T&A)

Due to popular demand, a new webpage has been created talking about one of the most common procedures performed in the United States today... tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy, also known as T&A.

Click here to read more about this procedure.

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New Webpage on Coblation Palatoplasty for Snoring

A new webpage has been created describing coblation palatoplasty which is used to treat snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea. Some of the advantages of this procedure are:

1) Outpatient
2) No sedation needed
3) Takes 15 minutes to perform
4) Performed in an office-setting instead of operating room
5) Well-tolerated

The ideal patient to undergo this procedure are those with large and thick soft palates. As such, not all patients are candidates to undergo this innovative procedure.

Read more about this procedure here.

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2 New Webpages Created on Snoring, OSA, and Sinusitis

Two new webpages have been added to our website. The first new webpage describes where snoring comes from and how it is treated. Obstrutive sleep apnea as how it relates to snoring is also discussed. Click here to check it out!

The other new webpage added describes sinusitis. CT scan of normal as well as abnormal sinuses are shown. Check it out here!

Our office provides complete management (medical to surgical) of sinusitis whatever its cause.

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