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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New Webpage on Lump in the Throat Sensation (Part 2)

A new webpage has been posted describing what may be causing a lump or foreign body sensation in the throat (globus pharyngeus). As many of our readers may already be aware, we already have a webpage on this subject. However, we have gone into further detail depending on where exactly the lump sensation is located.

The new webpage is specifically geared towards abnormal throat sensation between the voicebox and chin. Symptoms in this location is most often due to problems in the base of tongue region, especially the lingual tonsils.

The old webpage was specifically pertinent for lump sensations between the sternum and the voicebox. Symptoms in this location is most often due to stress or reflux (LPR).

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Some over-the-counter medications used to treat relux are listed below:

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Pictures of Zenker's Diverticulum Posted

Pictures of a Zenker's Diverticulum after barium swallow has been posted here. Zenker's Diverticulum is an abnormal pouch (or diverticulum) that forms in the throat that leads to swallowing problems. It is treated endoscopically via a procedure known as endoscopic staple diverticulostomy (ESD).

Dr. Chang has published extensively on the use of ESD to treat Zenker's Diverticulum and is able to provide this service in Northern Virginia.

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New section on Zenker's Diverticulum has been added

New section on Zenker's Diverticulum has been added.

http://www.ZenkersInfo.org

Dr. Chang of Northern Virginia is one of only a handful of surgeons in the US who treats this rare swallowing disorder using a minimally invasive, endoscopic approach called Endoscopic Staple Diverticulostomy (ESD).

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