Snoring affects al least 90 million adults in the USA, regularly bothering 37 million Americans and their bed partners. Snoring usually indicates a narrowing or partial obstruction of the airway, most pronounced while sleeping, but also often apparent on an awake examination in the office. Snoring may also be an indication of a more serious condition; such as sleep apnea, in which the airway completely or nearly completely obstructs several times during the night. Losing sleep because you or your bed partner snores is more than just a frustrating inconvenience, it may also affect your health. Getting enough sleep each night is a physical necessity and is crucial to general well-being. Our office provides comprehensive evaluations for snoring and sleep apnea, searching for anatomic or physiologic causes, and helpiing to determine the best treatment options.
Snoring occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing the tissues to vibrate as you breathe, which creates these inconvenient sounds. Snoring may also be a sign of a more serious problem such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a medical condition that should be assessed urgently. During sleep, people with OSA may stop breathing 10 seconds or more, 10 or more times an hour. This creates serious health risks if not diagnosed and treated, including stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, fatigue and many other conditions.
Treatment for Snoring
Many medical treatments for snoring exist. Something as simple as modifying the sleeping position works for many patients. Sometimes, nasal and throat sprays are helpful.
Also, a minimally invasive in-office procedure called The Pillar Procedure can treat the soft palate component of snoring and mild to moderate OSA. This procedure is designed to help patients sleep better, feel better, and live better.
Sometimes, with OSA, when appropriate, other surgical treatments are recommended. Our physicians are experienced with every aspect of surgical care of the ear, nose and throat.
Our office also coordinates with area sleep labs and Sleep Medicine physicians and dentists to arrange CPAP (or similar treatments) and oral appliance therapy.