Testimony from one of my patient
A highly educated and well informed patient who suffer from snoring and sleep apnea told me how he had a narrow escape while driving. He fell asleep on the wheels for 1-2 minutes at the traffic light. It caused havoc but unaware until other drivers came and knocked at his car window and woke him up from sleep. Thank God he did not make a horrific accident. He was frightened and then started worrying about his condition which no doctors could make a diagnosis for nearly 2 years. He went back and forth to several doctors until he himself made his diagnosis and asked the doctor to do a sleep test. He was suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
The symptoms of excessive day time sleepiness, fatigue, lack of libido, and horrific snoring were classical OSA.
The sleep study shows severe degree of OSA due to nasal and retro palatal narrowing confirmed by Endoscopy and MRI. Incidentally he is taking medication for spinal TB (PFT and HRCT of lung all are normal) which will make some restriction regarding anesthesia. He is due for multilevel surgery with RF Coblator in two months time once the medication are over.
He is using an Auto CPAP but finds it uncomfortable to use it and he wants to be free from slavery of CPAP
About Sleep Apnea
Snoring and Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the throat, soft palate and tongue relax during sleep. They sag and narrow the airway and the tongue slides to the back of the mouth, blocking the windpipe and cutting off oxygen to the lungs. The sleeper gasps for air, stops breathing (Apnea) wakes up briefly and falls back to sleep in a cycle that repeats itself hundreds of times per night.
The consequences of excessive daytime sleepiness can be varied and sometimes serious or even fatal, largely because of increased risk for motor vehicle crashes and work-related injuries. They lack concentration and adversely affect the quality of their job in work place. Common causes of EDS are sleep deprivation, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
The apnea symptoms of daytime sleepiness can lead to drowsy, distracted driving and fatal traffic accidents. Untreated sleep apnea sufferers are six times more likely to be involved in a serious or fatal traffic accident.
Note of appreciation
Dear Dr.Paulose
I express my sincere thanks to you and your team.
You appear to me like a “ray of hope”.
I really see the light at the end of the tunnel. (In a lighter sense, tunnel in my nose is narrow! more light may come in after you do turbinoplasty! I used to say that my weight is well under control because I have a control valve in my throat. Now I am surprised to see that the MRI result indicates the same! Narrowing of the velo pharyngeal airway!! I should have been an astrologer!!!).
I felt very happy and confident when I experienced the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by you and Dr. Thomas, your anesthetist.
Both of you have taken adequate time to understand my full medical history and evaluate the patient in totality before finalizing the surgical options. This is not a common occurrence in today’s world.
The meeting with Mr. Raghavan, the sleep study technician was very useful to understand the next level machine. I am considering that. Let me consult my pulmonologist before taking a decision.
Once I complete my medication for spinal tuberculosis treatment, I will get back to you to for the OSA Sleep apnea surgery.
The time I spent with you is memorable. Because, you conveyed all the points and clarified most of my queries with a great sense of humor!.
I would like to stay in touch with you.
Warm Regards,
Lakshman
9445003859.
