Advanced Snoring Treatments
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Snoring is an unwanted sleeping habit that has become a dilemma for snorers. It can cause them to receive unpleasant comments from their roommates owing to the nuisance of loud snores during their sleep. In many cases, snoring has also caused serious issues that have lead to arguments between couples. So if you are a snorer, it would be prudent to take the initiative and to get treatment for snoring in order to resolve such issues before they arise.
There are many snoring devices and methods available to help you to stop snoring. Though proven effective, some cases do not respond to them as well as others, so medical advice from a professional is always prudent.
Medical professionals will usually suggest the implementation of a healthy lifestyle as an initial step to treat snoring problems. Healthy Living can help reduce and sometimes eliminate snoring habits. Drinking alcohol before sleeping and smoking are also likely to be prohibited. Losing weight, when found necessary, and sleeping in a proper position may also be advised. If these basic methods do not eradicate snoring habits, then doctors may then recommend the application of advance procedures and devices to treat the situation. Snoring treatment procedures are to be taken seriously and can be very complex in nature.
The following are the surgical procedures given to snore disorder patients.
1. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a conventional surgery procedures used for snorers. This procedure involves trimming and tightening excess tissues to clear air passages. General anesthesia is given during the procedure.
2. Somnoplasty is a unique surgical procedure for reducing habitual snoring by removing tissues of the uvula and soft palate. It uses low levels of radiofrequency heat energy to make delicately controlled localized burn areas underneath the mucosa, a lining of the soft tissues of the throat. These burn areas are then absorbed by the body, decreasing the volume of the tissue and opening the air passages, thereby reducing the occurrence of snoring. The procedure is carried out in an outpatient setting and may take about 30 minutes to complete.
3. Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAU) is another form of surgery in which a small, handheld type of laser beam is used. This procedure involves removal of the uvula to shorten the soft palate. The purpose is to enlarge airways and to reduce vibrating activities that cause the sound which we refer to as a ‘snore’. This procedure is applied to cases with extremely disturbing loud snores. So if you do not yet snore like a church bell, then consider other snoring treatments before this one.
Non-surgical snoring treatments can involve the wearing of a pressurized mask. This approach is commonly referred to as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). The mask is designed to fit firmly over the nose and is worn while sleeping. This mask is specially designed with a pump that increases air pressure in the throat, thus keeping the airways open. The use of CPAP is also utilized for sleep apnea patients.
The use of a mouthpiece during asleep is also a non-surgical snoring treatment. The device ensures proper positioning of the tongue and the soft palate so that air passages remain open.
Hopefully this article has presented some snoring treatments that you may find helpful in your efforts to overcome any debilitating effects associated with habitual snoring.
