Northern Virginia Plastic and Oral Surgery

How can I tell which type of sleep apnea my partner has?

There are three types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which occurs when an airway obstruction reduces brain oxygen levels
• Central Sleep Apnea, which occurs when the brain fails the regulate breathing muscles
• Complex Sleep Apnea, which occurs when a victim suffers from a combination of both central and obstructive sleep apnea

While you cannot legitimately diagnose the type of sleep apnea your loved one suffers from, you can serve a vital role in helping a trained physician make the diagnosis.

When you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, you will awaken with a sudden gasping or choking noise. Generally, you will be unaware of this incident. Only a partner who is woken up by this noise is affected and can relay this information to a physician.

How does Dr. Hamrah treat victims of sleep apnea?

Dr. Hamrah only treats victims referred to him by sleep specialists or ENT doctors. His treatment method is only available to those suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.

Dr. Hamrah performs orthognathic surgery on his patients, which will modify the tongue muscle and adjust its position in the mouth. This adjustment will create a gap between the tongue and the back of the throat, which should prevent further airway obstruction.

If you have additional sleep apnea questions and live in the Washington, D.C. or northern Virginia area, please contact NOVA SurgiCare today to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Daria Hamrah.