Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) in Colleyville, TX


What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS)?

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Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is a potentially harmful sleep disorder in which patients experience difficulty breathing freely as they sleep. In a typical patient, air normally flows through the nostrils, mouth, and throat. However, patients suffering from OSAS develop a blockage in the upper airway that causes a significant and alarming decrease in oxygen to the heart and brain. This chronic, inadequate oxygenation often leads to a surprising number of health and safety complications. Fortunately, Dr. Chris L. Tye, MD, DDS at Texas Oral Surgery Specialists in Colleyville, TX is experienced in treating OSAS.

With OSAS, patients experience a chronically disrupted sleep pattern and lower levels of oxygen in the blood. Throughout the night, the upper airway is repeatedly blocked and the airflow stops in an event that is sometimes characterized by particularly loud snoring. In addition to forceful snoring, there are other, more dangerous consequences. Obesity, agitation, fatigue throughout the day, the inability to concentrate, and headaches can impact the quality of your life and compromise your safety.

In addition to keeping you from a restful night’s sleep, OSAS affects your partner as well. Oftentimes, loud snoring and gasping can keep them awake, as they continuously check to make sure you are breathing.

How Do I Know if I Have It?

It is nearly impossible to diagnose a condition such as OSAS without a professional evaluation and a sleep study. For most patients, the problem can progress without their knowledge since the breathing difficulty occurs during sleep.

In addition to a detailed medical history, Dr. Tye will evaluate the relationship between your anatomy and your sleep disorder. With an x-ray and evaluation of your head, mouth, and jaw, Dr. Tye can determine the cause of the obstruction as well as the extent of the condition.

What are My Treatment Options?

There are a number of available treatment options for sleep apnea, which Dr. Tye can discuss with you during your initial consultation. With a professional assessment, the cause of the breathing obstruction can be identified, and the appropriate treatment can be recommended. Snoring, whether it occurs with or without OSAS, can also be managed with professional care. Modern diagnostics and proven solutions will be employed to evaluate and treat the vibrations in the soft palate, throat, nose, or tongue that contribute to snoring and to sleep apnea.

Though snoring does not always indicate sleep apnea, it can still be a bothersome and noisy problem. Patients who suffer from disruptive snoring and those patients who have been diagnosed with mild sleep apnea could benefit from procedures that are minimally invasive, like Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) or the Pillar® Procedure.

Patients who have been diagnosed with moderate to advanced OSAS have access to multiple treatment choices as well. Initially, your treatment therapy may include the use of a CPAP or bi-PAP appliance which can deliver pressurized oxygen through a small mask to promote freer breathing at night. Depending upon your particular condition, long-term treatment options will be recommended as well.

Dr. Tye is Your Colleyville Oral Surgeon

At Texas Oral Surgery Specialists, we understand the consequences of OSAS. We are pleased to offer solutions that can protect your health and preserve your safety. An expert in his field, Dr. Tye has over two decades of experience treating patients with OSAS. If you live in Colleyville, TX – or the surrounding communities of Bedford, Keller, Southlake, Grapevine, or Euless – schedule a consultation with Dr. Tye to learn more about your treatment options. You can contact us online anytime, or call our office at (817) 522-3223.

For additional procedure information, check out the TXOSS Blog: Sleep Apnea.