Snoring
Snoring is caused by partial blockage of the air passages
during sleep. Turbulent airflow causes vibrations of the
palate and uvula leading to excessive noise. Snoring
may be associated with sleep apnea. Apnea, or cessation
of breathing, may occur if the breathing passages become
completely occluded. Snoring alone, while not considered
normal, is not life threatening. However, it may significantly
affect the quality of life of other family members, particularly
the snorer's spouse. Most persons who snore, but don't have
apnea, have difficulty breathing through their noses or
have excessively long palates or uvulas. Correction of these
problems can often be done in the office with laser surgery
or with a new technique involving injections of the palate,
called Injection Snoreplasty
Sleep apnea, unlike snoring alone,
is a potentially life-threatening condition. Chronic obstruction
of the air passages leads to extra stress on the heart and
lungs and can cause permanent changes to their structure.
Persons with sleep apnea are more likely to develop hypertension
and fatal arrhythmias.
It is often difficult to distinguish
between snoring alone and snoring with associated sleep
apnea. Individuals with sleep apnea usually awaken after
a full nights sleep feeling unrested and tired. Morning
headaches are common. Frequent napping during the day is
common.
To diagnose sleep apnea, an individual
must undergo a sleep study, where they are monitored overnight.
The test allows for a quantification of the severity of
the apnea and allows your physician to choose a treatment
plan which is best for you.
The treatment of sleep apnea is
varied. Sometimes weight loss alone is sufficient. Continuous
positive airway pressure or CPAP is the mainstay of treatment
for sleep apnea. This device is worn at night and delivers
a continuous stream of air at a set pressure to the nose
and mouth to keep the airway open. When worn, the machine
is nearly 100% successful in the treatment of sleep apnea.
Surgical treatments for sleep apnea also exist depending
on the area felt to be responsible for the obstruction.
Surgical management may be as simple as laser surgery in
the office. Consultation with an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist
is necessary to develop a treatment plan appropriate for
your specific needs.
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