Tampa, FL (PRWEB) January 30, 2014
There is a relatively new and innovative treatment option available to individuals diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which is defined by pauses in breathing that can last a few seconds to a few minutes, and occur as little as 5 to greater than 30 times per hour. The treatment is radiofrequency ablation (RFA). “Ten years ago, RFA was performed in a hospital setting,” said Jeffrey L. Silveria, MD, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers of America (SATCOA), “but since 2013, this sleep apnea cure has been available at SATCOA as a minimally invasive procedure occurring in an office with a device that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).”
“One hundred percent of our RFA patients experience some improvement,” continued Dr. Silveira. “With thousands of procedures performed by our SATCOA physicians, to date, we have achieved a 73% sleep apnea cure rate.”
RFA is a safe, effective alternative to traditional sleep apnea treatment. The procedure works by directing small amounts of temperature-controlled and targeted energy to the base of the tongue in the back of the throat. Following RFA, the treated area heals; tissue is tightened and thus reduced in size. This tightening and reduction directly prevents the tongue from blocking the airway while one sleeps, reducing and virtually eliminating sleep apnea.
The discovery of OSA dates back to the 20th century when a physician coined the first name given to what we now call sleep apnea, Pickwickian syndrome. Subsequently, there was a long gap in the history of sleep apnea. It wasn’t until 1965 that medical literature next mentioned what became officially known as OSA.
Around 1980, the first continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine was introduced as treatment for OSA. This treatment option via mask uses pressurized air to open the airway so that the obstruction does not interfere with breathing.
With lack of compliance as an issue, OSA sufferers have sought out other treatment possibilities so that they can feel better and improve their quality of life with such options as oral appliances, invasive surgery and lifestyle modifications.
“Although CPAP treatment has evolved into what can be described as the ‘gold standard’ of OSA therapy, compliance is a big issue,” added Dr. Silveria. “Granted, the CPAP decreases symptoms associated with OSA like snoring, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, memory concerns and concentration, but the sufferer has to wear a bulky mask at night while he or she sleeps AND they are not cured.”
About Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers of America (SATCOA)
Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers of America is revolutionizing the field of sleep medicine by offering patients a safe, minimally invasive, curative alternative to a lifetime of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine usage, or other more invasive options. Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers of America currently are located in Dallas, TX, Savannah, GA, Statesboro, GA, Albany, GA, Douglas, GA, and Tampa, FL. The company’s mission is to help patients Sleep Better. Live Healthier. To learn more, visit curemysleepapnea.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
