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Having A Tracheostomy To Help Sleep Apnea
Having a Tracheostomy to Help Sleep Apnea
A tracheostomy is a conventional form of surgery that is only performed today as a last resort for patients who have found that nothing
else helps them and/or if their sleep apnea is serious enough to be deemed life threatening. Although this surgery has a high success
rate (some doctors go as far as to say that it is one hundred percent effective) it involves an incision in the throat that is approximately
the size of a quarter. And can give rise to any number of other health problems, some medical in nature while others are psychological.
A tracheostomy is a very straightforward type of operation. Basically put, “the surgeon makes an opening through the neck into the
windpipe and inserts a tube.” The opening, which is a permanent one coupled with the tube allows for the easy flow of air in and out of
the windpipe (or trachea) Let’s take a closer look.
The tracheostomy tube allows air to flow in and out of the patient’s lungs and eliminates sleep apnea episodes. During the daytime
hours a valve allows the tube to remain shut making it possible for the individual to both breathe and talk as naturally as possible. At
Sleep Deprivation And ApnoeaSleep Deprivation and Apnoea If you are suffering from chronic tiredness during the day, the chances are you are ..... night when the individual is sleeping the valve is wide opening allowing for air to flow into the throat but bypass the blockage and then
find its way into the lungs.
Not everyone who undergoes a tracheostomy needs the same amount of time to recover. In other words some people require more time
than others. When sleep apnea is brought about by the upper airway being blocked, a tracheostomy almost always is a successful
operation. However keep in mind that this form of surgery is a kind of treatment that is often undertaken after all else has failed to work.
There are a number of risks associated with having a tracheostomy. First of all scar tissue sometimes forms where the hole is made in
the throat and this can make a difference in the appearance of the neck. Sometimes a patient who has a tracheostomy has a chance of
developing an infection at the sight of the operation (symptoms include swelling, redness and drainage of fluid) and bleeding is often a
complication. Some patients have problems with their speech, some immediately following the surgery but find it improves with healing
while others notice a permanent alteration in speech patterns. There is also a greater chance that a variety of lung infections will develop
Woman Who SnoreWoman Who Snore Okay girls its time to face a few facts about snoring. Although we all know .....
in patients who undergo a tracheostomy. Finally psychological and emotional problems such as depression and a lack of self-esteem
can evolve as a result of this surgery.
Some people are very self-conscious about their appearance after having a tracheostomy as it is more obvious in some people than it is
in others. People who are overweight or obese often suffer more long-term consequences due to fatty tissue on the neck that can block
the hole in the throat. It is important to be impeccable with your hygiene habits after having a tracheostomy as keeping the area of the
neck where the tube was inserted clean and free of debris is extremely important.
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