Snoring is a common problem of both men and women. To most people the issue of snoring is normal while for others it is a nuisance sound which is disturbing and in turn causes troubles in falling asleep normally. There are different situations that can trigger snoring. These includes nasal congestion, deviated nasal septum, your sleeping position, blocked nasal passages, excess weight and drinking alcoholic beverages before going to sleep. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, it is necessary to consider the cause of the snoring before determining whether a surgical procedure is appropriate to address such problem. Hence, it is vital not to take snoring for granted as this may be a significant symptom of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes, which makes this event a serious health problem. Let’s take a look at some of the procedures that are currently used as surgical treatments to keep you free from problems of snoring as well as sleep apnea.
Tongue Suspension
People who are obese, have a high body mass index or have snoring problems are most at risk of developing sleep apnea. Surgeons of today are helping hundreds of patients who suffer from sleep apnea and snoring through tongue suspension, better known as repose procedure. Tongue suspension involves placing a small titanium screw in the jaw. A suture (which is attached to the screw) is threaded through the tongue and tightened. The purpose is to hold the tongue in its proper place when a person is sleeping in order to prevent obstruction in the airway. This procedure takes about 20 minutes and does not involve removing a portion of the tongue. Although the procedure generally does not affect taste, tongue movement or sensation, patients who undergo such procedure are typically advised to be on a soft diet for weeks.
Radio Frequency Tissue Ablation (RFTA)
Also known as sonoplasty, radio frequency tissue ablation is a procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to warm and shrink tissues that causes airway obstruction. Target sites include the inferior turbinates in the nose, the soft palate in the throat, and the back of the tongue. RFTA can be done in the doctor’s clinic with local anesthesia and is minimally invasive. Hence, usually more than one treatment is necessary for a gradual hardening and shrinkage of the obstruction sites.
Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP).
Although more than one session may be needed for this procedure, laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty is the most commonly used surgery to address and alleviate snoring problems and sleep apnea. In the LAUP, the surgeon uses a laser to cut away the uvula, the tissue that hangs from the middle of the back of the roof of the mouth.
Coblation Channeling
This is the newest snoring surgery and it was approved by the FDA in 2000. Coblation channeling like RFTA uses radio frequency energy to shrink or completely remove the tissue that causes blockage in the airway.
