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Sleep apnea is a serious and potentially fatal problem.

Sleep apnea comes with a variety of physical causes. Generally speaking, it can be traced to an obstruction in the mouth or throat that causes you to stop breathing in your sleep. At very least, this can unsettle your sleep and affect you physical and mental health. At worst it can contribute to heart problems, depression, and strokes. It can even be fatal since it is known that people with sleep apnea have a higher risk of car accidents than those that done. For some people, the most effective treatment is surgery to remove, reduce, or reshape whatever is causing the obstruction.

But how do you know which surgery is right for you?

Appropriate surgical recommendations can only come after a thorough evaluation from sleep apnea specialist. That could mean a physical evaluation, a sleep test, and/or Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy. There may also be other factors like your weight, your family medical history, or whether you smoke, that should addressed before surgery is recommended.

In most cases, surgeries will focus on your tonsils, tongue, palette, or nasal passages. The key is to find out where the blockage is occurring and then decide on the right surgery to address the problem. In other cases, sleep apnea or snoring may be caused by loose or weakened structures in the mouth, like the epiglottis. There are procedures designed to address those issues as well. The medical terminology can be confusing, and the prospect of a surgery daunting. When surgery is recommended, it’s because it’s the best or perhaps last option after lifestyle changes and other treatments have been ruled out or tried and failed.

Dr. Rotenberg will help you understand the cause of your sleep apnea or snoring and explain not only how the surgery works, but how it will address your problem. His recommendations are based on years of experience and study, as well as his expertise in diagnosing and treating sleep apnea.