Advertisement
"Men over the age of 40 are the most common sufferers of sleep apnea dueto their heavier build and shorter necks; however, women, children andoverweight people are not immune," said Stephen Schendel, MD, ASPS MemberSurgeon and lecture presenter. "Many men are extremely embarrassed to gethelp for sleep apnea even though it can lead to serious health issues."
Advertisement
Sleep apnea is a temporary inability to breathe during sleep, which canoccur dozens; sometimes hundreds of times per night. Although someone may notbe aware they have the condition, it can significantly disrupt their qualityof sleep. According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep apnea is ascommon as adult diabetes and affects more than 12 million Americans.
"Left untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and other heartdisease, memory problems, mood swings, impotency and headaches," said AndrewWexler, MD, ASMS president. "The condition can also lead to serious workinjuries and car accidents because sufferers are drowsy and fall asleep."
Sleep apnea can occur when soft tissues of the nose and mouth relax --which may restrict air flow. Plastic surgeons open the airway by removingexcess tissue in the nose. The tongue is also shortened and pulled forwardpreventing it from slipping into the throat while sleeping. The disorder isalso seen in patients with less pronounced facial features, such as a smallchin, because they often have smaller airways. Plastic surgeons move the upperand lower jaws forward, creating a larger airway for these patients. Beingoverweight can also restrict the airway; however, the best treatment for thesepatients is weight loss.
Non-surgical options may not be as effective or as long-term as surgery.The most common non-surgical treatment is a Continuous Positive AirwayPressure (CPAP) machine, which some equate to sleeping with a scuba mask on,can often fall off during the night and forces the user to sleep on his back.Radiotherapy is another option that has moderate success; however, it may beonly appropriate for people with minor conditions and requires multipletreatments.
"Treating sleep apnea is one of the less talked about ways plasticsurgeons are helping to restore health and proper function to patients," saidRichard D'Amico, MD, ASPS president. "After all, quality sleep is an integralpart of how we function properly."
Visit http://www.plasticsurgery.org for referrals to ASPS Member Surgeonsand to learn more about cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. With more than 6,000 members, thesociety is recognized as a leading authority and information source oncosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises 90 percent of allboard-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, theSociety represents physicians certified by The American Board of PlasticSurgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
SOURCE American Society of Plastic Surgeons
