(rapid heart beat)?

Saying "yes" to three or more of the above questions is a strong indication of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, however, a sleep study may be still be required to properly diagnose the condition. It has also been found that some 80-90% of cardiac patients suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea and that untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea increases the risk of developing heart disease and stroke.

Treatment Options

There are several treatment options available for people with Sleep Apnea:

1. Surgical (The Pillar Procedure is one new surgical treatment option that has received considerable media attention in recent times)

2. CPAP Machine

The Pillar Procedure is a relatively simple surgical procedure for treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea. It involves implanting three pins into the soft palate to maintain the airway during sleep. The procedure was first introduced in 2003, and has been hailed as somewhat of a breakthrough in the management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

The studies so far are somewhat limited and the longevity of this procedure has only been tested up to 15 months. Success rate is about 50-60% in a study of about 20 individuals. Although risk of infection from this procedure is low, irritation to the tissues and protruding implants are two post-operative problems cited.

What is a CPAP machine and how does it work?

CPAP is the abbreviation of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. A person with Obstructive Sleep Apnea wears a mask which is hooked up to a machine that monitors the person's breathing throughout the night. When the machine detects that breathing has stopped, it will send a pulse of air to open the airway so breathing may resume.

CPAP machines come with basically three types of masks - a full face mask that covers the whole face, one that covers only the nose and mouth, and one that covers only the nose (although the latter is only suitable for individuals who are not mouth breathers).

The newer CPAP machine models are now so compact that it can even be used on an aeroplane on overnight flights.

CPAP machine or Surgery?

Some doctors believe the CPAP machine is a far safer option than undergoing surgery. Some of the reasons why surgery and the Pillar Procedure is not advisable:

1. Since airway obstruction occurs only at night when the muscles are relaxed and not during the day when they are active, it suggests that there is nothing overtly wrong with the soft tissues in the airway.

2. There are currently no long term

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