People just don't realize how serious a problem this is. Chelette blames his sleep apnea on his previous inability to recover from triple bypass heart surgery. My wife thinks it is a miracle. I have plenty of energy. I'm ready to play ball.
Surgical procedures are often a solution for sleep apnea.
The most effective treatment, a tracheotomy, is generally only used in life-saving circumstances. It involves cutting a hole in the patient's throat, Huang said. A second procedure involves surgical removal of the uvulas or tonsils, or some other corrective surgery to the nasal passages. Unfortunately the surgeries have a success rate of 50 percent. Sleep apnea patients can also wear a specially designed mask at night to keep the passageways open.