FAQ

Asthma is caused by a combination of complex and, partially understood by scientists, environmental and genetic factors that interact with one another. These factors influence the severity of the disease as well as whether the patient will respond to treatment. It has been speculated that recently increased asthma rates are due to changes in epigenetic factors (hereditary factors other than those associated with DNA sequences) and changes in the environment in which we live.

Many environmental factors have been linked to the development and deterioration of asthma including allergens, air pollution and other environmental chemicals. Smoking during pregnancy as well as after childbirth is considered to be associated with an increased risk of developing asthma-like symptoms. Low air quality indicators due to vehicle traffic or high levels of ozone have been associated with both the development of asthma and the increase in the severity of the disease. Exposure to volatile organic compounds indoors may cause asthma, such as for example, exposure to formaldehyde. Phthalates contained in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products are also associated with the onset of disease in children and adults due to high endotoxin exposure.
Asthma is associated with exposure to indoor allergens. Common indoor allergens include: dust mites, cockroaches, animal hair and skin, and mold. Efforts to reduce dust mites have proven ineffective. Some respiratory viral infections may increase the risk if they occur during childhood, such as respiratory syncytial virus and rhinovirus. However, other infections can reduce the risk.

Chronic conditions: a) Anatomical abnormalities: Nasal diaphragm scoliosis, hypertrophy of the lower nasal segments. b) Pathological conditions: Presence of nasal polyps, nasal adhesions, tumors. Endocrine Disorders: Diabetes Mellitus, Pregnancy, Hypothyroidism, Menstruation, etc. c) Systemic Diseases: Coccidial Diseases: Erythritic wolf, syphilis etc.

2) Partial obstruction of the upper respiratory tract through the oropharynx: Long sinus palate, grape, hypertrophic parietal tonsils and lingual tonsils, pharynx and laryngeal tumors, edema.

What factors predispose to snoring, what factors cause or aggravate it

Patients Overweight: When we increase our weight, we increase not only the abdomen or the periphery mainly women, but also the volume of stomach throat tissue, which means partial obstruction of the airway.
Use of substances such as: Alcohol, tranquilizers because they cause muscle breakdown ie decrease muscle tone (the tissues become more flabby) and cause partial obstruction.
Smoking-genetic causes-heredity-age.

What does sleep apnea mean?

It is the complete interruption of airflow through the pharynx and nasal cavity for at least 10sec.

(Usually describes the wife: The doctor stops breathing and wakes up).

What is Sleep Apnea Syndrome? Is it the same as apnea?

We are talking about sleep apnea syndrome when at least 30 episodes of sleep apnea occur during a 7 hour sleep.

So we are talking about mild sleep apnea when the episodes are from 5 to 20, moderate degree sleep apnea when the episodes are between 20 and 40 and severe sleep apnea when the episodes are over 40.

What are the characteristics of morbid snoring (with or without apnea)?

Essential to the degradation of the patient’s quality of life: Why: Daytime sleepiness – reduced concentration – impaired mental function – reduced socialization due to easy fatigue – negative impact on sexual activity – increased risk of causing traffic accidents (approx. 1/3 of traffic accidents are related to sleep disorders) – increase in cardiovascular morbidity – increase in mortality.

Are there any other morbid phenomena associated with sleep apnea syndrome?

Arterial hypertension, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction and cases of sudden death during sleep.

When should a snore doctor visit?

When snoring is chronic and daily. When there are apneas. Unfortunately, sufferers usually underestimate their problem and visit the doctor under pressure from their partner, mainly for reasons of pure annoyance from the noise they cause and which does not allow them to sleep. However, the reason for the visit is much more serious and mainly for the patient. Often the patient finds that easy fatigue or drowsiness is a result of age, as the condition is more common in middle age. This is a trap and reassurance for the patient who underestimates their problem.

How is it diagnosed?

By taking a detailed history (pathologies-precursors-metabolic diseases (SD) -hypothyroidism etc.) and clinical examination of course requiring endoscopic examination of the nasal, pharynx, and larynx for <br> <br> In cases where sleep depressive syndrome is reported, that is, interruption of breathing during sleep, it is essential that the patient undergo a multisomitographic sleep study as it is called and which controls the cardiological , cerebral, neurophysiological function through tissue oxygenation (oxygen saturation test), continuous electrocardiogram, electromyogram, electroencephalogram, snoring sound recording and apnea) during sleep.

Are there any non-invasive ways to reduce snoring intensity?

Weight reduction.
Physical exercise.
Stop smoking – alcoholic drinks – possibly the use of sedatives (cause a decrease in muscle tone).
Avoid sleeping on your back.
Nocturnal bedtime at least 3 hours after dinner.
Raise the upper part of the bed (head) by 12-15 cm.
Ensure adequate moisture in the bedroom.
Adherence to these guidelines results in a reduction of snoring to full healing sometimes.

How can the doctor intervene?

In cases where there are no apneas but only snoring, or a small to moderate degree of sleep apnea syndrome. Surgical treatment can be performed which, depending on the anatomical problem, may consist of: a) Interventions in the throat: Grape-palate plastic, or Throat-grape-palate plastic using Laser or R.D.F (radio frequency). b) Nose surgery: Nasal septal plastic – conchoplasty.

Which are the main gods?