How Is Snoring Treated?
Many treatment options for snoring are available. All of them address the soft palate and uvula. Stiffening of these structures to prevent the flutter during inspiration is the end point of all treatments. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a procedure where the soft palate and tissues of the throat are tightened. If tonsils are present, they are also removed at the same time. This procedure requires general anesthetic and usually a two-week recovery period. Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is a procedure where a laser is used to vaporize the uvula and a portion of the palate. The heat induces a burn, which causes scarring and stiffening of the soft palate. See also Laser Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty (American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery). Snoroplasty is a new procedure that involves injection of a sclerosing agent into the palate, which induces soft tissue scarring. It is also relatively painless. The procedure of choice depends on the anatomical findings in
Simple lifestyle changes may provide relief: • Losing extra weight • Sleeping on your side, instead of on your back • Avoiding the use of alcohol and sedatives before bed • Quitting smoking • Using nasal strips, which widen the nostrils and improve airflow Other Treatment Options for snoring: • Allergy Treatments • Nasal Surgical Procedures including correcting a deviated septum or reducing excess tissue within the nose. • Pillar implants – In our office, three tiny inserts are placed in your soft palate to help provide support. Because no tissue is removed, there is minimal discomfort and very short recovery time, sometimes only a day! • Surgical procedures to remove excess tissue from the throat. During your first office visit, your doctor will examine all parts of your upper airway and assess which areas are contributing to your snoring. The soft palate is almost always involved in chronic snoring, but there may be other factors as well, such as blockage of the nasal airway, tonsils
Snoring can be diagnosed as primary snoring (simple snoring) or obstructive sleep apnea. Primary snoring is characterized by loud upper airway breathing sounds during sleep without episodes of apnea (cessation of breath). Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious medical condition where individuals have frequent episodes of apnea during sleep, contributing to an overall lack of restful sleep and severe health risks including heart attack and stroke. Various methods are used to alleviate primary snoring. They include behavior modification (such as weight loss), surgical and non-surgical treatments, and dental devices.
• For most snoring: Snoring can be treated and controlled most of the time. How you are treated may depend on what is causing your snoring. Treatment may also depend on how bad your snoring is, and if you have other problems such as sleep apnea. Losing weight if you are overweight may help decrease snoring. Different sleeping positions, such as lying on your side, may help decrease snoring. Before bedtime, you may need to avoid drinking liquids that contain alcohol, or taking medicines that make you drowsy or relaxed. • For snoring with sleep apnea: Treatment for snoring caused by sleep apnea may include one or more of the following: • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): A CPAP machine is used to keep your airway open during sleep. With CPAP you wear a mask over your nose and mouth, or just your nose. The mask is held in place by soft elastic straps that go around your head. The mask is hooked up to the CPAP machine. The machine blows a gentle stream of air into the mask when y
