Frequently Asked Questions
A common condition caused by an inflammation of the sinus tissues, sinusitis affects approximately 35 million Americans annually. When inflammation blocks the sinuses, they become filled with fluid rather than air. This unhealthy environment becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses or fungi, all of which can cause infection.
Sinusitis is often triggered by allergies, colds, nasal polyps, and/or a deviated septum.
If you have sinusitis, you probably have one or more of the following symptoms:
- A stuffy or runny nose
- A headache, especially around your eyes, forehead, and/or cheeks
- Dental or jaw pain
- Nasal drainage
- Unexplained fatigue
- Nasal blockage
Symptoms associated with sinusitis can be often be treated with antibiotics.
But when sinusitis becomes recurrent or chronic, other treatment is necessary.
Until recently, endoscopic sinus surgery was the most effective treatment for recurrent or chronic sinusitis (and is sometimes still the best option, depending on the cause and severity of sinusitis ).
Snoring is the sound of tissue vibrating as you draw in air during sleep. That tissue may be your soft palate, tongue, or certain nasal structures. Snoring can be caused or exacerbated by a cold or allergies, obesity, alcohol consumption, certain medications and even pregnancy, but often has a specific anatomical root cause that can include:
- A floppy soft palate
- A nasal blockage
- A large uvula
- An oversized tongue
- Large tonsils
- A combination of two or more of the above
Though some snoring appliances may work for some people with mild cases of snoring or sleep apnea, it’s important to have appliances custom fitted rather than opting for generic, off-the-shelf versions. And even then, studies show that the success of snoring appliances may be due to a placebo effect.
When you visit a snoring specialist like Dr. Kayem, you won’t be wasting time and money on a generic device that likely won’t work for you. Instead, you’ll receive an individual examination and consultation that will determine the exact cause of your snoring, and then explore treatment options that can work for your particular situation.
A common disorder affecting around 22 million Americans, sleep apnea is a condition where airway blockage seriously affects the ability to breathe during sleep. When you suffer from sleep apnea, you stop breathing for extended periods of time, sometimes hundreds of times an hour. Snoring is one symptom of sleep apnea, as is daytime sleepiness, irritability, a headaches or dry mouth upon waking, and several other health related issues. Sleep apnea can cause or contribute to a multitude of health issues, so if you suspect you have the disorder, it’s important to get checked out by a professional.
Yes. Since sleep apnea causes fatigue and reduces oxygenation of the blood, it can contribute to a host of serious physical ailments, including:
- High blood pressure
- Inflammation
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Cancer
Sleep apnea can also lead to cognitive and behavioral disorders, including depression, anxiety, and dementia. Children with sleep apnea may experience hyperactivity, bed wetting, and learning and behavioral issues.
Not necessarily. Though CPAPs are undeniably effective, they only work when people are willing to use them. It’s estimated that nearly half of patients prescribed a CPAP machine do not use them long-term, or don’t even get their prescriptions filled.
Luckily, there are several good alternatives to CPAPs. Dr. Kayem offers minimally invasive in-office treatments for mild to moderate sleep apnea and/or snoring. They include Elevoplasty, a ten-minute procedure that lifts the soft palate; and radiofrequency (RF) treatments that reduce airway obstruction caused by the soft palate, tongue, and enlarged turbinates. Excellent surgical options are also available for more severe cases.
Most ENT procedures are covered by insurance plans. Our practice is in-network with Anthem Blue Cross, Medicare, and Tricare. Other insurance carriers are accepted as out of network.
To receive insurance coverage for sleep apnea or snoring, a diagnosis and sleep study are typically required. Some insurance plans limit reimbursement to CPAP or a few medical treatments. Our office believes in providing the best recommendation to patients regardless of insurance coverage.
