Medical Mx
What does CPAP stands for?
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
When would you consider surgery?
Name one lifestyle change that a patient may make in order to manage their sleep apnoea
One of: Weight loss, Reduction of alcohol intake, Avoid sleeping on your back
What type of license CAN you NOT hold if you have ESTABLISHED OSA?
an unconditional license
Reposition the jaw or the tongue to keep the airway open
What kind of surgery would you undergo if needed?
no one-size-fits-all, but usually just remove obstruction
Name two lifestyle changes that a patient may make in order to manage their sleep apnoea
TWO of: Weight loss, Reduction of alcohol intake, Avoid sleeping on your back
List 2 reasons why you are NOT fit to hold an unconditional license as a commercial driver
ESTABLISHED sleep apnoea syndrome
Frequent self-reported* episodes of sleepiness or drowsiness while driving; or
Has had motor vehicle crash(es) caused by inattention or sleepiness; or
Opinion of the treating doctor represents a significant driving risk
Mention all three Dental Appliances for OSA
one of: Sleep study, X-Rays, CT-Scans
How might weight gain contribute to sleep apnoea?
Excess fat deposits around the upper respiratory tract may restrict the airways
Drivers of heavy vehicles, public passenger vehicles or requiring a dangerous goods driver licence
Stuart an his family went on a vacation with their family friend, but he forgot to pack his PAP machine. Will anyone be getting sleep that night and why?
No. A PAP machine will only manage OSA symptoms while the user is wearing it. Should the user stop wearing it, the symptoms will return soon.
Name 2 places you would operate on in the UPPER AIRWAY
2 of: Upper Airway (Tongue, Tonsils, Jaw, Roof of the mouth)
Stuart sews 5 golf balls onto the back of his shirt in order to stop himself from sleeping on his back. Why might this aid his sleep apnoea?
Sleeping on your back can cause additional pressure to be placed on the airways. It may also cause potential obstructions such as the tongue to roll back into the throat.
If Stuart has had a motor vehicle crash caused by inattention or sleepiness, but has not gotten any treatment, he fit to hold....
no license :(
Automatic Positive Airway Pressure (APAP). Significantly higher air pressure may be needed during his REM stages of sleep.
Name 2 places you would operate on the NOSE
2 of: Nose (Nasal Septum, Turbinates, Sinuses, or Rhinoplasty)
Stu has had one too many beers on Friday falls asleep on the kitchen floor. During Stuart's sleep on that Friday night, he finds that his sleep apnoea is considerably worse. How might the alcohol have contributed to his poor quality of sleep?
Alcohol can cause the muscles of the airways to relax. This loss of muscle tone may cause loose tissues to block the upper respiratory tract.
If Stuart has frequently self-reported episodes of sleepiness when driving, but is compliant with Tx and has satisfactory Tx, he is fit to hold...
a conditional license :)