/ Sleep Apnea / - Restore Medical

The Pillar Procedure, for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder characterized by interruptions and cessations in breathing during sleep, which can occur up to hundreds of times a night.

As reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, it is estimated that one in five adults in the United States suffers from mild obstructive sleep apnea. One in 15 adults in the United States suffers from moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Consider these statistics:

Almost half of all people with obstructive sleep apnea develop high blood pressure (hypertension), which raises the risk of heart failure and stroke.¹

People suffering from obstructive sleep apnea are up to 6 times more likely to be involved in a car crash as a result of drowsiness than those without sleep disorders.²

The partner of an obstructive sleep apnea sufferer loses about an hour of sleep every night due to his or her partner’s snoring.³

Sleep deprivation has been shown to alter hormones and metabolism involved in weight gain.⁴

The most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). There are also surgical procedures that remove or alter tissue at the back of the throat, such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP). These surgical procedures are invasive and often painful options that can require weeks of recovery time and pain management medications.

The Pillar Procedure. The first step toward better sleep.

The tissue in the back of the throat most often involved in snoring and obstructive sleep apnea is the soft palate. In addition to the soft palate, many people also suffer from obstruction of other parts of the upper airway including the nasal airway, tonsils, tongue, and pharyngeal walls.

Be sure to ask your doctor to examine all parts of your upper airway and assess if your soft palate is contributing to your obstructive sleep apnea. If your soft palate is a factor in your obstructive sleep apnea, the Pillar Procedure may be an effective treatment option for you, because it stiffens the soft palate to reduce or eliminate the tissue vibration and collapse that can cause obstructive sleep apnea .

The Pillar Procedure can be performed as a stand-alone procedure or used in combination with other treatments and lifestyle changes to address multi-level upper airway obstruction. More than 30,000 people worldwide have been treated with the Pillar Procedure.

Obstructive sleep apnea can be a complex condition. The Pillar Procedure can be an effective first step in your journey to a better night's sleep. Do you want to know if the Pillar Procedure is right for you? Find a Doctor in your area.

1. Silverberg DS, Iaina A, Oksenberg A. Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea Improves Essential Hypertension and Quality of Life. AM Fam Physician. 2002 Jan 15; 65(2): 229-36. Read More
2. Teran-Santos J, Jimenez-Gomez A, Cordero-Guevara J. The association between sleep apnea and the risk of traffic accidents. New Engl J Med, March 18; 340(11):847-51.Read More
3. Beninati W. et al. The Effect of Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea on the Sleep Quality of Bed Partners, Mayo Clin Proc. 1999 Oct; 74(10):955-8. Study available here (.pdf). Reported at Science Daily web site. (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/10/991006075441.htm) Read More
4. Caples SM, Gami AS, Somers VK. Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Ann Intern Med. 2005 Feb 1;142(3):187-97.Read More