PATIENT GUIDE

CureMySleepApnea.com

To Our Minimally Invasive Sleep Apnea Procedure

Dear Snorer,

As the founder of Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers of America, I am excited to introduce you to an innovative medical treatment and patient experience that we have found to be superior to any other in the treatment of sleep apnea. The Method of Temperature Controlled Radio Frequency Ablation (TCRFA) of the tongue base for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was developed over 10 years ago and today, we continue to perform this procedure with great success.

I am a proponent of in-office procedures if they can be performed safely, effectively, and with the patients’ satisfaction in mind. At Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers of America, the highest level of quality customer care and service to our patients as well as continued success in advanced medical care are our top priorities.

Certainly, disrupted sleep plays a role in the general fatigue individuals experience, but what many are not aware of is the susceptibility to other serious health risks may exist for those suffering with sleep apnea. To have a successful treatment option for our OSA patients that does not require a trip to the operating room is thrilling and with the continued expansion of Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers of America, we look forward to the opportunity to educate the many sleep apnea sufferers that are currently undiagnosed and treat sufferers so they have the opportunity to “Sleep Better and Live Healthier.”

Sincerely,

Jeffrey L. Silveira, MDFounder and CEO

A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER, JEFFREY L. SILVEIRA, MD

What is Sleep Apnea? — Click here

The Sleep Cycle — Click here

Potential Risk Factors — Click here

Diagnosis — Click here

Why Choose Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers of America? — Click here

Procedures — Click here

Treatment Centers — Click here

Frequently Asked Questions — Click here

Our Patients — Click here

We are pleased that you have taken the first step toward learning more about sleep apnea, the associated health risks and available treatment options.

Review the section below to learn more!

CONTENT

Partially Blocked AirwayObstructive sleep apnea can be mild to severe. Your airway may narrow or close completely. When the airway collapses a little bit, the airway becomes partly blocked. This makes it harder for air to pass into your lungs when you inhale. Any air that squeezes through the blockage may cause snoring.

Completely Blocked AirwayAt times, the airway may become completely blocked, where there is no airflow. This is called apnea. With little or no air flowing to the lungs, there is a decrease in blood oxygen levels. This signals your brain to disrupt your sleep which helps you open the airway. Sometimes obstructed breathing ends with a gasp.

The normal breathing cycle continues until the next episode of obstruction. Episodes may last seconds to minutes, and recur 1 to 100 times per hour.

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that causes affected individuals to stop breathing for short periods of time while asleep. While the effects are the same, there are two primary varieties of the condition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA), which differentiate in their root causes. Regardless of the type of sleep apnea from which you suffer, it is important to be professionally diagnosed and treated to avoid further complications.

Normal Open AirwayNormally, without sleep apnea, your airway remains open. The airway consists of your nose, mouth, throat and windpipe. This allows the flow of air and oxygen into your lungs when you inhale and the flow of carbon dioxide out of your lungs when you exhale.

WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA?

Hypopneas & ApneasYour body undergoes many physiological changes during sleep including changes that affect your breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the soft palate sags and the tongue relaxes and slides back which can partially obstruct the upper airway. When the obstruction is severe enough to decrease the amount of air obstructing the lungs, it is called hypopnea. If the upper airway collapses, blocking the airflow by 80% or more, it is called an apnea. Hypopnea and apneas last 10 seconds or more and can greatly reduce the amount of oxygen in your blood despite your continued efforts to breath.

The most noticeable symptom of OSA is loud, chronic snoring. During an apneic episode, there is an increase in the level of carbon dioxide in the blood. This build up triggers a defense mechanism in the brain which jolts the body into resuming normal breathing.

In mild sleep apnea, the number of apneas is 10 per hour on average. In severe sleep apnea, it can be 40 or more per hour.

Normal Sleep Cycle

Air

flo

w t

o L

un

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OSA Effects on Normal Sleep Cycle

Air

flo

w t

o L

un

gs

Minimal Brain ArousalSleep SleepConsistent Airflow Minimal Brain Arousal

Loss of Airway Tone

SleepClear Airway

Sleep

Airway Obstruction

IncreasedBrain Arousal

Hypoxia:Body Deprived of Oxygen

Increased Airway Tone

THE SLEEP CYCLE

CONDITIONS RELATED TO OSA

Consequences of OSAAirflow Reductions Produce: Fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate Arousals of the brain Reductions in blood oxygen saturation Fragmented sleep

Cardiovascular Stressors: Irregular heartbeat High blood pressure High levels of carbon dioxide in the blood Heart failure

Fragmented Sleep: Slowed thinking Moody behavior including depression Chronic sleepiness Slurred speech Irritability

Increased Health Risk Due to OSA Odds Ratio

0

1

22.5

2.92.4

1.5

3

1.5

0.5

Coronary Artery Disease

Stroke High Blood Pressure

Congestive Heart Failure

Type II Diabetes

1.21.6

Increased Risk of Psychiatric Disorders Due to OSA Percent of Patients

0%

10%

20%25%30%

6 6 4 215%

5%

Depression Anxiety PsychosisPTSD Bipolar Disorder

22

9

17

8Non-OSA

OSA

125

DiagnosisOne of the fundamental issues facing people who suffer from sleep apnea is their lack of knowledge about their condition. Nearly 50% of those suffering from sleep apnea are unaware that their condition may actually be life-threatening. Consequently, it is important that any individual experiencing symptoms of Sleep Apnea receives an accurate diagnosis of his or her sleep disorder.

A sleep study should be performed in order to evaluate the possibility of OSA. The sleep study will determine how many apneas and hypopneas occur an hour, also known as Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI).

A patient’s RDI combined with other potential symptoms can enable Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers of America to determine candidacy for the procedure.

DIAGNOSIS

Symptoms Excessive sleepiness Morning headache Unrefreshing sleep Morning sore/dry throat Concentration focus or memory problems Insomnia Sleep interrupted by gasping or choking Observed loud snoring Mood/behavior change Night sweats

Undiagnosed

Did You Know?12 million Americans are affected by OSA.

(9,600,000 Americans)80%

WHY CHOOSE SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT CENTERS OF AMERICA?

Most Effective Treatment CenterOur dedication to our minimally invasive sleep apnea procedure has made Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers of America (SATCOA) the most effective treatment center for Obstructive Sleep Apnea helping thousands of families “sleep better, live healthier.”

FDA Approved ProcedureSATCOA’s Radio Frequency ablation offers the only minimally invasive, in-office, FDA approved proven cure for obstructive sleep apnea.

Standard of CareA standard of excellence in personalized care enables us to provide the quality services that our patients deserve. Our treatment centers and staff provide all-inclusive treatment planning and follow strict standards to ensure your procedure will go smoothly and provide the results you desire.

Success RateOver 53% of patients report quality of live improvement within six months of the procedure allowing relief from sleep apnea and related health risks.

Physician TrainingAll physicians complete Sleep Apnea Treatment Center’s of America’s exclusive, advanced certified medical training at The Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS).

Minimally InvasiveCompared to other sleep apnea treatments in the industry, our Temperature Controlled Radio Frequency Ablation (TCRFA) treatment is an office based procedure and requires no hospitalization Patients are permitted to return to work immediately after.

Infection Rate Under 1%Our sleep apnea procedure has resulted in an infection rate of less than 1% compared to 40% industry average.

Temperature Controlled Radio Frequency Ablation (TCRFA)

Radio Frequency ablation directs small amounts of targeted energy to the base of the tongue in the back of the throat using a non-invasive device. Each treatment is performed in less than 45 minutes and targeted energy delivery to the treatment area lasts just two to four minutes.

Following the procedure, the treated area heals and the tissue is tightened and reduced in size. This tightening and reduction will directly prevent the tongue from blocking the airway while the patient is sleeping. The minimally invasive, outpatient procedure is performed with local anesthesia and is proven to be an effective treatment for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

of patients report improvement after procedure.53%

TCRFA to the base of the tongue

Infection Rate

SATCOA Industry

Less than 1% 40%

Continuous Positive Airway Treatment (CPAP)

The CPAP treatment, offers an alternative to the Radio Frequency Ablation treatment of sleep apnea but can also be used in conjunction with the RFA treatment to obtain optimal results. In choosing this method, patients wear a mask over their nose while sleeping to treat obstructive sleep apnea.

The primary function of the CPAP device is to prevent the airway restriction that can prompt episodes of sleep apnea. The upper airway is held open through a pressurized stream of air that is filtered through the mask. Adjustments can be made to ensure that your CPAP mask fits comfortably and that air pressure is delivered evenly.

PROCEDURES

We provide our patients with the most advanced treatment to cure obstructive sleep apnea with integrity, compassion and care. Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers of America is devoted to serve the sufferers of sleep apnea and their families while always utilizing the safest choice in materials, complete evaluation and testing and post-procedural assessment.

Our dedicated employees devote their time and energy exclusively to Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers of America, ensuring our patients with excellent, personalized care and service to make patients’ experience with Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers of America as comfortable and pleasant as possible.

Our goal is for patients to leave our centers with a better understanding of their potential conditions and treatment options. We want to make a difference in providing our patients’ a life changing and emotionally positive experience that can allow them to “Sleep Better and Live Healthier.”

TREATMENT CENTERS

Locations Southeast Lung Associates Location 340 Eisenhower Dr. 201 E Kennedy Blvd. Savannah, GA 31406 Tampa Bay, FL 33602

Location Location #### Address #### Address Statesboro, GA ##### Birmingham, AL #####

Location #### Address Douglass, GA #####

Location #### Address Atlanta, GA #####

Did You Know? Those with OSA are more likely

to be involved in an automobile accident.7x

Is snoring a potential health concern?Snoring can be a social problem but also a sign of very serious medical problems. Although snoring is very common, it is a form of abnormal breathing and is caused by partial blockage to airflow to the lungs. The prevailing concern with snoring is that it may represent one of the symptoms of OSA which has many adverse health implications.

Why is OSA a serious health concern?Sleep apnea is a condition that should be taken very seriously as it can cause mild to severe health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, ED in men, as well as the inability to memorize and concentrate on day to day tasks. Sleep apnea is one of the main conditions that leads to lethargies during the day and while driving, impairing one’s ability to drive. As a result, sleep apnea is one of the major causes of car accidents.

Who is at risk for OSA?Both genders can develop OSA, although men may be at slighter risk. OSA seems to be more common as we age; however, even children can have the problem. Excess weight and obesity are strongly associated with OSA.

How long have your doctors been performing this procedure?Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers of America has been researching and successfully performing this procedure for more than a decade. Our physicians have been proprietary fellowship trained at our facility, in addition to bringing significant experience with ENT Otolaryngologist techniques gained at other respective healthcare providers.

Why aren’t more doctors performing this type of procedure?These advanced procedures are specialized and perfected by Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers of America. This procedure is on the cutting edge of medical technology and Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers is on the forefront of this movement. In addition, these highly specialized methods are not taught in medical schools or residency programs. At the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS), our physicians complete exclusive, advanced, certified medical training.

While similar procedures are offered by other practitioners, our highly skilled physicians are able to advance the minimally invasive approach to sleep apnea treatment through their extensive experience. The advancement that our physicians practice here would take years to develop in other practices.

When will I be able to sleep without my CPAP machine?Most of our patients will either be able to reduce use of their CPAP machine or forgo use all together. The outcome of each patient is determined by severity of OSA, CPAP settings and reaction to the procedure.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Terry Dean Graham

Johnnie Smith

Ronny Aycock

Prior to the treatment, I got up all throughout the night and had regular seizures. Following the procedure performed by Dr. Silveira, my symptoms are in the past. I would definitely recommend this procedure to others suffering from this brutal condition.“

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Samantha Fillmore

Sandra Taylor

I chose to have the RFA procedure because I had a really severe case of sleep apnea. Because of my condition, I felt that it would be beneficial to take advantage of the operation. After receiving the procedure, I had a follow-up that showed I had only mild sleep apnea. Now, I no longer have to sleep with a CPAP machine and have a much higher quality of life. I love Dr. Silveira.

“”

As a result of the procedure, I’m sleeping better and not using the CPAP machine. I’ve already recommended Dr. Silveira to everyone I know with sleep apnea.“

”

My sleep apnea was inhibiting me from getting sufficient rest as it was causing me to wake up every 30 minutes. I knew I had to intervene to reclaim my life and I must say that I’m so thankful I went to Dr. Silveira. Since he performed the procedure on me, I breathe better, my throat opens, and I rest better at night.

“”

Sleep apnea wasn’t allowing me to sleep or breathe well for a long period of time. After undergoing Dr. Silveira’s treatment, I sleep better at night, breathe easier, and don’t snore. I have the utmost respect and admiration for Dr. Silveira.“

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OUR PATIENTS