Sleep Doctor in Alexandria, VA

Everyone has difficulty sleeping now and again, but if you suffer from chronically poor sleep quality, help is available. The majority of sleep disorders are treatable. Loud snoring, non-refreshing sleep, morning headaches, dry mouth, waking with a choking sensation, excessive daytime sleepiness and shortness of breath are just a few of the signs and symptoms of a sleeping disorder.

Metropolitan ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery provides evaluations for pediatric and adult patients with various sleep complaints. Our senior partner, Dr. Michael Abidin, has 20+ years of experience in treating a myriad of sleep disorders including Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome, Snoring, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and more! He has recently co-authored a poster documenting the Open, Direct, Midline Glossectomy procedure, which was presented in Chicago, IL at the 2016 Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting. Additionally, Dr. Abidin has spent years improving various surgical treatments for sleep apnea. Most notable is the Hyoid Myotomy and Suspension procedure. He recently co-authored a piece of literature detailing the success of the hyoid suspension procedure in patients with sleep apnea and also has his hand in other research that is currently ongoing regarding the consistency and precision with which the hyoid procedure can be formed. The hyoid suspension offers a minimally invasive surgical option to treat sleep apnea with minimal down time. Request an appointment at our clinic in Alexandria, VA by calling (703) 313-7700.

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Sleep and Snoring Services:

Assessing the severity of your sleep apnea:

The initial screening test for sleep apnea is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

Patients with a high score are often referred for a sleep study, which is performed in order to effectively screen for obstructive sleep apnea (OBS).

If you’re concerned about the possibility of having a sleep disorder, a home sleep study can be ordered (when appropriate).

When required, an all-night sleep study called a polysomnogram may be ordered. We refer our patients to local sleep centers and once a diagnosis is established our physicians can provide a complete solution for care of the patient including all medical and surgical treatment options.

What are the Treatments for Sleep Apnea?

Various forms of treatment are recognized for obstructive sleep apnea including CPAP therapy, positional therapy, oral appliances, weight loss, and surgical correction of any anatomical abnormalities.

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy is the most common treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. This machine uses a variety of masks that fit either over the mouth and nose or just the nose. It blows air into your throat to help keep your airway open while you sleep. There are several health benefits to using a CPAP machines including prevention of cardiovascular events.

CPAP has also been found to help the survival of veterans with OSA with continuous positive airway pressure versus surgery.

Oral Appliances may help some patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. We carry the Somnoguard appliance which has shown significant improvement in sleep for many of our patients you can be fitted and leave with your appliance the same day.

If your OSA is more severe we will refer you to a dentist that can make a custom-fit mouthpiece which will adjust your lower jaw and you tongue to help keep the airway open while sleeping.

Surgical Options may benefit some patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The surgical procedures listed below are usually staged at several week intervals to allow for patient recovery and to monitor the patient for residual symptoms.

  • Septoplasty and turbinate reduction – can improve the nasal airway if airflow through the nose is compromised.
  • Tongue Suspension – Tongue based procedures can help reduce or reposition the tongue base if it is large enough to obstruct airflow.
  • Repose™ Hyoid Suspension
  • Hyoid Myotomy & Suspension
  • Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty – can enlarge the airway in the throat by removing excess tissue of the palate if it is the cause of obstruction.

Positional Therapy may benefit some patients which have obstructive sleep apnea when sleeping on their back. Sleeping on your side will help keep their throat open throughout the night.

Weight Loss can also benefit patients with obstructive sleep apnea. With obesity comes other health problems that are linked with obstructive sleep apnea including hypertension and heart problems. Losing weight helps eliminate excess fat that blocks the throat.

Hyoid Suspension – Highly Effective Treatment For Sleep Apnea with Top Doctor Dr. Michael Abidin

The Hyoid First™ 

The Hyoid First™ approach to treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was first introduced by Dr. Michael Abidin as a means to dramatically reduce the invasiveness and sometimes arduous recovery that is typically associated with sleep surgeries such as the uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), while improving the efficacy of treatment overall. By offering the hyoid suspension as the first line of surgical treatment for sleep apnea we have been able to more than double the efficiency of the UPPP, while sparing them the pain and lengthy recovery. The procedure is minimally invasive, adjustable, reversible, and begins working right away! If you have sleep apnea, then the hyoid suspension may be the treatment you’re looking for. Call our office today to book an appointment for your sleep apnea evaluation and see if Hyoid First™ is right for you!

Metropolitan ENT