Snoring, Sleep Disordered Breathing and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Snoring

It has been reported that approximately half have the adult male population and one third of the adult female population snores, most these people do so nightly. This can be a serious issue and has led to numerous social problems including marital separation and even divorce.

Snoring is created by vibration and flutter of the tissues of the soft palate and loose throat tissue such as the uvula and tonsils. Excess length or size of the palate and tonsils narrow the airway increasing this vibration. Other contributors to this narrowing of the airway include nasal obstruction or sinus problems, the tongue moving into the back of the throat, and weight gain.

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Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep related disorder characterized by episodes of not breathing (apnea) for longer than 10 seconds. The clinical syndrome of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSAS) occurs when these apnea spells number more than 5 per hour. Symptoms common to OSAS include: very loud snoring, chronic daytime sleepiness, poor concentration, morning headache, and even high blood pressure. Untreated OSAS can lead to serious heart and lung problems.

Patients with a history and physical exam consistent with sleep apnea are evaluated with a “sleep study”. This is an overnight test where measurements of breathing and body functions are made to determine if they have sleep apnea.

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Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSAS)

There are several treatment options available for OSAS. Some can be cured by weight loss alone. CPAP is a small pump that forces air through the nose during sleep. It is 100% effective if the patient can tolerate it. Surgical treatment is directed towards removal of the excess tissue in the upper throat and correcting nasal deformities.

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Treatment for Snoring

These procedures have been developed to reduce snoring by stiffening the soft palate. These are: Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP), Somnoplasty, and the Pillar Procedure. These are all office based procedures that are performed under local anesthesia. Once a diagnosis is made between OSAS and snoring these as well as other treatments will be discussed at length.

Learn more about snoring and sleep apnea from
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

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