Breath-holding apnea while sleeping is a manifestation of sleep apnea syndrome, which is often associated with obesity, tonsillar hypertrophy and mandibular retraction deformity, etc. According to the etiology and the degree of the disease, general treatment, drug treatment and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation treatment, oral orthodontic device treatment and surgical treatment should be selected.
1. Obesity: local and systemic obesity can cause the airway to be squeezed by the hypertrophied tissues in the neck, or the bloated fat structure of the pharynx to collapse into the pharyngeal cavity causing the above symptoms. It is necessary to take diet, appropriate exercise, or even surgical treatment to control weight. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation can be chosen to reduce upper airway resistance and increase upper airway muscle tone, thus preventing upper airway collapse during sleep.
2. Tonsillar hypertrophy: excessive hypertrophy and hyperplasia of tonsils due to long-term chronic inflammation or over-immune function, obstructing the oropharynx and leading to narrowing of the airway cross-section, triggering snoring symptoms. It is feasible to treat with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty to enlarge the pharyngeal cavity and improve ventilation.
3. Mandibular retraction deformity: this disease can cause the tongue root to fall back, close to the posterior wall of the pharynx, and there are symptoms of apnea when sleeping. Oral orthodontic appliances can often be used to treat this condition. By shifting the position of the lower jaw forward, the root of the tongue and the hyoid bone can be shifted forward, the upper airway can be enlarged, and the ventilation obstruction can be corrected. Alternatively, anterior jaw shift surgery may be an option for treatment.
Sleeping breathlessness apnea may also be caused by nasal rhinopathy, central diseases, etc., need to actively consult a doctor for a systematic examination, a clear diagnosis, and standardized treatment in accordance with medical advice.