OSA is a medical condition linked to serious long-term health risks including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression — making treatment essential beyond just improving sleep quality.
Sleep apnea surgery is recommended when CPAP therapy, weight loss, and oral appliances have not adequately controlled the condition or when the patient is intolerant to non-surgical treatments.
The most effective surgery depends on identifying the precise location of airway obstruction — whether in the nose, soft palate, tongue, or jaw — and tailoring the procedure accordingly.
Persistent, loud snoring — especially when accompanied by gasping or choking sounds during sleep — is the most recognizable symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, often first noticed by a bed partner.
Witnessed episodes where breathing stops completely for several seconds during sleep are a hallmark sign of OSA and should prompt immediate medical evaluation.
Feeling overwhelmingly tired, drowsy, or falling asleep during routine activities despite a full night in bed — known as hypersomnia — results from disrupted, non-restorative sleep.
Waking with a dull headache, particularly at the temples or back of the head, is a common symptom of OSA caused by repeated drops in blood oxygen levels during the night.
Poor focus, memory lapses, and reduced productivity during the day are frequently reported by OSA patients as a result of chronic sleep fragmentation.
Repeatedly waking during the night — sometimes with a sensation of choking or gasping — or needing to urinate frequently are common nighttime symptoms of untreated sleep apnea.
Chronic sleep deprivation from OSA can cause significant irritability, mood swings, anxiety, and in some cases, depression that worsens over time without treatment.
A narrow throat, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, a large tongue, or a low-lying soft palate can physically reduce the airway space — making collapse more likely during sleep.
Excess weight, particularly around the neck and throat, increases soft tissue bulk and reduces airway diameter — obesity is one of the strongest modifiable risk factors for OSA.
A small lower jaw (retrognathia), recessed chin, or abnormal jaw relationship can cause the tongue to fall back and obstruct the throat during sleep — a structural cause well-suited to surgical correction.
A deviated nasal septum, enlarged turbinates, or nasal polyps can force mouth breathing during sleep, increasing airway collapse and worsening OSA severity.
As people age, the muscles that keep the airway open during sleep naturally lose tone — making OSA more common and progressively severe in older adults.
A polysomnography (sleep study) confirms the diagnosis and severity of OSA, while a detailed clinical and endoscopic airway examination identifies the specific site or sites of obstruction — forming the basis of the surgical plan.
Correction of a deviated nasal septum (septoplasty), reduction of enlarged turbinates, or removal of nasal polyps improves nasal airflow, reduces mouth breathing, and significantly improves CPAP tolerance and OSA severity.
The most common surgical procedure for OSA — excess soft tissue from the soft palate, uvula, and throat walls is removed and tightened to widen the upper airway and reduce the tendency for collapse during sleep.
Removal of enlarged tonsils and adenoids is a highly effective treatment — particularly in children and young adults — where tonsillar hypertrophy is the primary cause of airway obstruction.
Procedures to reduce the volume of the tongue base — including radiofrequency ablation or surgical reduction — address obstruction at the lower throat level in patients where the tongue is a primary contributing factor.
A highly effective jaw surgery that moves both the upper jaw (maxilla) and lower jaw (mandible) forward — physically enlarging the entire airway space and providing one of the highest long-term success rates for OSA surgery.
Schedule your consultation at our Jubilee Hills clinic at a time that suits you.
Thorough examination of your jaw, bite, muscles, and joint plus review of imaging if available.
Clear explanation of your diagnosis with a personalized, staged treatment roadmap.
Start your individualized treatment with ongoing support through recovery and long-term follow-up.