Sleep Apnea and Tonsils
Sleep apnea can have several causes, including the tonsils. Large tonsils and excess tissue in the upper airway can obstruct breathing, causing sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of the disease involving the tonsils. Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea due to blockage from tonsils include:
• Change in Personality
• Daytime Sleepiness
• Depression
• Falling Asleep While Driving
• Frequently Waking Up During Sleep
• Failure to Achieve Deep Sleep
• Headaches
• High Blood Pressure
• Impotence
• Memory Loss
• Obesity
• Snoring
• Tiredness
Treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea include lifestyle adjustments, sleeping while wearing a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, or surgery, possibly removing the tonsils. Lifestyle adjustments or treatment for other responsible health problems are the easiest treatment and are usually the first option. A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine is a second option. The last option is surgery.
Tonsils are the growths of tissue at the back of the throat. Their purpose is to block bacteria from entering the throat and infection prevention. Swollen glands, sore throat, and sleep apnea can result from irritated or infected tonsils.
An overnight polysomnography, or sleep study, can make an accurate obstructive sleep apnea diagnoses. A sleep study takes place at a sleep study clinic. Breathing patterns, heart rhythm, oxygen use, an EKG, and other body function tests during sleep allow a physician to determine the cause and best treatment option.
“Apnea” is a Greek word meaning “without wind.” Medically, “apnea” defines brief pauses or interruptions in breathing patterns during sleep. With obstructive sleep apnea, the soft tissue at the back of the throat relaxes, closing off the airway and causing an apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea, but there are two other forms: central sleep apnea and mixed sleep apnea. Regardless of the type of sleep apnea, the sleeper rarely realizes they are having difficulty breathing during sleep.
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