The choice of treatment for adults with sleep-disordered breathing by formal examination

Abstract

We investigated the treatment of adults with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Literally, SDB means sleep disorder and breathing disorder. For diagnosis of sleep disorder, polysomnography (PSG) is indispensable and formal examination is necessary to the diagnosis of breathing disorder. The main points of formal examination are (1) low level soft palate (2) falling of lingual back (3) tonsiller hypertrophy, and (4) small jaw and retreat of mandibular position. The choice of treatments for breathing disorder are decided by results of PSG, formal examination, patient's age, and previous disease. Add treatment of sleep disorder, and the treatment of SDB is completed. This method is useful for the improvement of the results of SDB treatment, in our hospital, and includies continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), oral appliance, and pharyngeal surgery. In SDB treatment, the role of the otorhinolaryngologist, who can make a formal examination easily and correctly, is very important.