Best Obstructive sleep apnea Doctors in Chennai

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is characterised by repeated episodes of shallow or paused breathing during sleep. It occurs when throat muscles relax, causing a partial or complete blockage of the airway and disrupting airflow. Common triggers include obesity, a narrow throat, hypothyroidism, a deviated nasal septum, and other conditions that congest the upper airway.

In Chennai, obstructive sleep apnoea is a noticeable healthcare issue. Apollo Hospitals here hosts the best doctors specialising in obstructive sleep apnoea who assist residents in improving their sleep quality.

Types/Stages of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Obstructive sleep apnoea is based on the frequency of apnoeic events during sleep. These are:

• Early Stage: Characterised by intermittent snoring and occasional apnoeic events, the individual may experience mild disruptions in sleep.

• Progressive Stage: Increased frequency of apnoeic events and persistent snoring are accompanied by noticeable daytime symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

• Advanced Stage: Severe and frequent apnoeic events, along with chronic snoring, lead to significant daytime impairment.

Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

The manifestations of obstructive sleep apnoea include:

• Daytime Fatigue: Persistent tiredness and lack of energy even after a full night's sleep

• Loud Snoring: Disruptive snoring followed by pauses in breathing

• Witnessed Apnoeas: Episodes of breathing pauses observed by a bed partner

• Morning Headaches: Regular headaches upon waking, which may be due to oxygen deprivation during sleep

• Repetitive Awakenings: Frequent interruptions in sleep throughout the night

Tests to Diagnose Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Diagnosis by the best doctors for obstructive sleep apnoea treatment involves:

• Pulse Oximetry: This test measures blood oxygen levels using a small device placed on a finger or earlobe.

• Home Sleep Apnoea Testing: A non-invasive test conducted at home to monitor breathing patterns and oxygen levels during sleep.

• Polysomnography (PSG): A comprehensive sleep study recording various physiological activities during sleep including brain activity, eye movement, muscle activity, heart rhythm, airflow, respiratory effort, and blood oxygen levels.

• Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT): This is used to diagnose narcolepsy and assess daytime sleepiness.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

The best doctors specialising in obstructive sleep apnoea treatment at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, offer these effective cure options:

• CPAP Therapy: Patients undergo a sleep study to determine suitable CPAP pressure. Then, doctors treating obstructive sleep apnoea use a CPAP machine that delivers pressurised air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep.

• UAS Therapy: This involves implanting a device that stimulates the hypoglossal nerve, which controls the tongue and other muscles in the throat, keeping the upper airway open during sleep.

• Oral Appliances: Custom-fitted devices, such as tongue retaining devices or mandibular advancement devices, reposition the jaw and tongue to prevent airway obstruction.

• Surgical Options: If other treatments fail, surgical procedures like uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) which removes excess tissue from the throat are available to widen the airway.

Doctors specialising in obstructive sleep apnoea treatment at Apollo Hospitals evaluate each patient's specific condition to recommend the most appropriate treatment. Patients can book appointments for personalised care at Apollo's Greams Road location.