Ask Dr. Park: Minimally Invasive Options for Snoring & Sleep Apnea

August 31, 2010

Are you confused about all the different minimally invasive treatment options for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea? Do you know what the difference is between LAUP, SMILE, and Somnoplasty? Find out:

  • Which treatments work, and which are hype
  • Snoring options vs. obstructive sleep apnea options
  • Why the laser procedures are old technology
  • And much, much more….

Please join me for my next Ask Dr. Park Teleseminar when I’ll answer all your questions on Tuesday, September 14th, at 8PM Eastern.

Click here to register.

18 Responses to “Ask Dr. Park: Minimally Invasive Options for Snoring & Sleep Apnea”

  1. remi Adegbile on September 10th, 2010 2:59 am

    Hi! Interested to investigate further to see if i have any minimally invasive options.

  2. Jack Foley on September 10th, 2010 4:00 am

    how effective is BMI reduction in reducing effects of SA? What is need – say from BMI 30? 22? roughly – i imagine this varies by individual

  3. R on September 10th, 2010 5:05 am

    Can a physical examination distinguish between apnea caused by the tongue versus the soft palate?

  4. patrick reilly on September 10th, 2010 5:26 am

    none

  5. Mack Jones, MD on September 10th, 2010 2:50 pm

    A meta-analysis from one of the Scandinavian countries recently came to the conclusion (as others have in the past) that a UP3 was of no benefit in relieving OSA.

    Shouldn’t ENT surgeons stop performing this worthless surgical procedure? Shouldn’t Medicare and insurance companies stop reimbursement for this worthless surgical procedure?

  6. hugo torres on September 10th, 2010 3:07 pm

    I read that if sombody has obstructive apnea and some percentage of central apnea then, c-pap machine will not be as effective and could worsen your apnea problem. Also surgery does not help with central or complex apnea. Please comment.

  7. Tim Limkeman on September 11th, 2010 2:36 pm

    Can wearing M.A.D.s (mandibular advancement devices) cause other problems, such as, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder?

  8. James R. Skinner on September 11th, 2010 4:40 pm

    How is a sphincter pharyngoplasty different than a UPPP for OSA? Is it any better?

  9. Len Green on September 12th, 2010 1:37 am

    None

  10. Susan McCord on September 12th, 2010 8:07 pm

    I don’t know enough about dental devices, etc. to ask an intelligent question. But I’m curious and plan to attend.

  11. Susan McCord on September 12th, 2010 8:09 pm

    I don’t know enough about dental devices, etc. to ask an intelligent question. But I’m curious and plan to attend.

    Susan McCord

  12. mike on September 13th, 2010 12:18 pm

    looking for treatments for UARS

  13. Joe Carbone on September 14th, 2010 5:20 am

    Can doing the surgery make your sleep apnea worse and after surgery is it suggested to wear the cpap machine which I had difficulty to wear to begin with..?.

  14. Cheryl Dixon on September 14th, 2010 5:34 am

    I do not have any questions at this time

  15. Mack Jones, MD on September 14th, 2010 11:35 am

    Shouldn’t the word “success” be eliminated when describing the results of UPPP?
    Wouldn’t “40′% have a “slight improvement” in their AHIs, but not an elimination of all apneas or hypopneas” and also mention that they will still have to use their CPAP machines regardless of the result?
    Shouldn’t the patient be told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

  16. Susan McCord on September 14th, 2010 11:50 am

    Mack, regarding your comment on here, YES!!

    Patients deserve complete, full disclosure PRIOR to decision-making, about ANY kind of surgery. They should also be encouraged by their MDs/surgeons to seek other opinions and gain as much information as possible before they sign consent.

    Only my opinion, but personally I strongly believe in educating and empowering patients…….

  17. Joe Rich on September 15th, 2010 2:36 pm

    I’ve been diagnosed with “mild” sleep apnea, primarily central sleep apnea that was caused, I believe, by a minor stroke back in 2007. I’ve been unsuccessful with adapting to use of CPAP machine to treat it. I suspect that any type of surgery, minimally invasive or otherwise, can only address obstructive sleep apnea brought on by anatomical anomalies and would be useless for central sleep apnea. (BTW, I have occasionally used a low .25 mg dose of Klonopin to counteract this terrible condition with some improvement in how I feel in the morning). Nevertheless, I would be curious about the surgical approach and may call in if I’m available.

  18. Steven Park on September 15th, 2010 2:44 pm

    Mr. Rich,

    Sorry to hear about your stroke. A stroke can definitely cause damage to the breathing control centers of your brain. We also know that obstructive sleep apnea can cause multiple small to large strokes in the brain. You may want to ask your sleep doctor about servo-ventillator PAP machines, which are helpful for central apneas. You’re right in that surgical procedures won’t work with central events.

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