Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition characterized by recurrent hypoxemia and arousal, due to partial or complete obstruction of the upper airways during sleep with consequent daytime somnolence.

Symptoms are loud snoring, hypersomnolence (excessive daytime sleepiness), and restless sleep. Other symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include choking or gasping during sleep, unrefreshing sleep, morning headaches, daytime fatigue, personality changes, memory impairment, impaired concentration, poor judgment, mood disturbances, recent weight gain, polyurea, and impotence.

The goal of treatment for sleep apnea patients is to keep the airway open and prevent pauses in breathing during sleep.

Methods to alleviate sleep apnea include behavioral measures such as avoiding alcohol and CNS depressants close to bedtime, weight reduction and sleep posture modification.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) works by gently blowing pressurized air through the nasal passage of the patient at a pressure high enough to prevent the throat from collapsing during sleep.

Oral or dental appliances reposition the lower jaw and the tongue, opening up the space at the back of the throat, and helping treat sleep apnea.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

Which is the most common type of surgery to treat sleep apnea, enlarges the airway by removing redundant tissue (tonsils, adenoids, uvula) from the pharynx.

Laser-assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP), which can be performed in a specialist