Although only about 6 million diagnoses have been made, approximately 30 million Americans are affected by sleep apnea. This condition can make it extremely difficult for individuals to get a good night’s sleep. As a result, they are more likely to experience sleepiness during the day, irritability, and other health issues. If you snore or struggle with sleep apnea, genioglossus advancement may be able to provide you with relief. Here is what you should know.
What Is Genioglossus Advancement?
Genioglossus advancement is a type of surgery that involves pulling the primary muscle of the tongue, or the genioglossus, forward. The surgeon will then permanently reposition the tongue in order to stabilize the airway and expand it.
This procedure is typically performed on patients to treat:
- Snoring
- Limp tongue muscles
- Enlarged tongue
- Sleep apnea that is caused by weak tongue muscles or an enlarged tongue
Genioglossus advancement helps to decrease the likelihood of the tongue collapsing into the airway and obstructing the patient’s breathing during sleep.
What Does Genioglossus Advancement Help With?
Genioglossus advancement is an effective treatment option to help patients find relief from various symptoms related to sleep apnea that keep them up at night. Some of the ways this procedure can help include:
- Providing long-term relief from snoring
- Ensuring more stabilization of the airway during sleep
- Providing more room for the tongue to relax while you sleep
By lessening these and other symptoms of sleep apnea, patients can expect improved sleep quality. This ensures they feel more rested throughout the day and sleep better at night.
Although genioglossus advancement is an effective procedure in itself, it is often performed in combination with other treatments, such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and hyoid suspension surgery. This combination can significantly improve the chances of achieving the most relief from sleep apnea symptoms.
A consultation with our doctor at eos Sleep can help to determine whether genioglossus advancement is the right option for you.
See if Genioglossus Advancement Is Right for You
Dr. David O. Volpi at eos Sleep has more than a decade of experience helping individuals across the New York Metropolitan area find relief from sleep apnea and snoring.
By calling 212-873-6036 to schedule your appointment at the Park Avenue, NY, location, we can discuss your symptoms and the available treatment options to provide you with the relief that you need.