Diagnosi e terapia del russamento e apnee notturne
Équipe
Dr. Alessandro Vagnetti
Surgeon
Specialist in otorhinolaryngology
Villa Stuart Private Clinic
Diagnosis and treatment of snoring and sleep apnea
Snoring (snoring) is a noisy vibration that causes social problems, especially for the bed partner. Sleep apneas constitute a real syndrome(Osahs) that results in harmful consequences for the body.
Sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome results in a condition of poor oxygenation of the individual and causes:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Reduced mental and physical performance
- Hypertrophy of the soft palate and uvula
- Hypertension
Numerous are the complications:
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Myocardial infarction
- Stroke
- Epileptic seizures
- Irritability
- Depression
- Disorders of the sexual sphere
- Traffic or work accidents
Sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (Osahs) increases in severity if it is associated with obesity, cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, and hormonal diseases; in particular, it can create discomfort for those who drive transportation vehicles for work and those in occupations that require a high alertness threshold.
YOU NEED A CHECKUP IF YOU SUFFER FROM
- Habitual snoring (every night) and persistent (lasts for at least 6 months)
- Respiratory pauses in sleep reported by partner
- Awakenings with feelings of suffocation
- Sleepiness during the day
- Body mass index (BMI) greater than 29
- Neck circumference greater than 43 cm in men and 41 cm in women
- Malformation of the skull or face and abnormalities of the mouth and pharynx
EVALUATION
As per current guidelines, collection of symptoms and signs is the first step. This is followed by an ENT examination to appreciate the features of the oral cavity and, through fibbroendoscopy, the nasal passages, pharynx, and larynx. Then, again with the same 3.4-mm endoscope, the Müller Maneuver (completely painless and risk-free) is performed to highlight pharyngo-laryngeal districts that may narrow during apneas. Last, but not least in importance but indeed essential, home polysomnographic examination should be performed, which allows us to have documentary evidence of snoring, apneas-hypopneas, oxygen desaturation, position changes, etc. Based on this initial diagnostic approach, we assess whether or not further investigation with other tests is needed. Keep in mind that often both the diagnosis and any subsequent therapy is multispecialty.
Sometimes it is necessary to perform:
- Sleep Endoscopy (endoscopic examination with anesthesiologist creating pharmacologically induced sleep)
- Laboratory examinations
- Skull Rx for cephalometry or CT OR MRI to study soft tissues as well
- Cardiological examination with ECG and ECOCG
- Internist examination
- Diabetological examination
- Neurological examination and possible outpatient polysomnographic examination
- Maxillofacial examination
- Pulmonological examination
- Nutrition examination
TREATMENT
Treatment is often multidisciplinary and can only be determined and planned after careful evaluation of all the elements gathered (there is no standard therapy).
PURPOSE OF THERAPY
The treatment of snoring (snoring) aims at its reduction/abolition; that of sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome, on the other hand, aims to reduce or abolish it, control its consequences (excessive daytime sleepiness, hypertension), and prevent complications (myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiac arrhythmias, sleep death, depression, traffic or work accidents).
24/7 Emergency Service - Prof. Pier Paolo Mariani
Prof. Pier Paolo Mariani
Monday / Friday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM / Saturday 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
388.655.5123
In the evening after 8:00 PM, on Saturday after 1:00 PM, and on Sunday, call the toll-free number 800.118.166
The Villa Stuart Clinic is affiliated with major insurance companies and supplementary health care funds.
For information and bookings
Monday / Friday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM / Saturday 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Emergency service
Service available 24 hours a day