Snoring can be a loud, vibrating or harsh sound emitted when breathing during sleep. Snoring happens to everyone at some point as a result of a cold (nasal congestion), fatigue, central nervous system depressants, abnormal sleep positions, obesity or for other reasons. However if snoring occurs, it is a sign of an airway that is at least partially obstructed.

What Are The Characteristics and Symptoms of a Snoring Problem?

• Awakening during the night gasping for breath (see sleep apnea)
• Excessive daytime sleepiness with napping that often does not fully rest you
• Mood changes such as anxiety and irritability
• Decreased sexual drive and depression
• Spouse or partner pointing out snoring

Snorers can have 100-600 episodes or cycles of sleeping and waking per night.

Sometimes snoring can be a sign of a more serious condition such as sleep apnea where a person can stop breathing during their sleep.

Many people with sleep apnea may are unaware of this repeating sleep-snore-apnea-wake pattern, it is very disruptive to normal sleep patterns, and very hard on partners. Fatigue throughout the day can be attributed to a frequent disrupted sleep pattern.

Who Is Most Likely To Have This Condition?

Risk factors for snoring include:

• obesity
• cold (nasal congestion)
• fatigue
• central nervous system depressants
• abnormal sleep positions

Treatment for Snoring:

Somnoplasty or Tonsillectomy

There are various forms of over the counter treatments for snoring. Sometimes even losing 10 pounds can make a difference. For severe snorers, a plastic surgeon can help by performing a surgery such as a somnoplasty or tonsillectomy.

Patients should seek treatment from a plastic surgeon as soon as possible after the injury so that the doctor can try to realign the nose. If the injury seems more minor, the doctor may wait a few days to allow swelling to subside. The nose can be realigned surgically within 10 days of the injury with a procedure called rhinoplasty. If the septum was severed, the doctor may perform a septorhinoplasty (a combination of septoplasty and rhinoplasty) to mend it back together.

What Does Surgery for Snoring Involve?

Somnoplasty:

Somnoplasty is a procedure which uses a minimally invasive technique called radiofrequency (RF) ablation to reduce excess soft tissue volume in the upper airway, including the base of the tongue, thereby opening the airway.

Under local anesthesia, a handheld RF device with a needle electrode is applied to the affected areas of soft tissue (uvula, soft palate, base of tongue). The heat generated produces coagulative lesions, which are naturally reabsorbed by the body, resulting in decreased tissue volume and renewed airway patency.

Are You A Candidate?

You may be a good candidate for somnoplasty if:

• You have mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to obstruction at the base of the tongue.

What Are The Advantages Of Surgery?

There is substantial reduction of excess tissue, which is the cause of obstructive sleep apnea. Patients report significant and lasting relief from the problem post-surgery.

How Long Does It Take?

About 30 minutes.

How Many Treatments Are Required?

Usually one.

What Are My Alternatives?

• Over-the-counter snoring remedies
• Weight loss
• CPAP apparatus

Will I Have Pain?

There may be minor pain and swelling for a few days; a short course of pain relievers is usually given.

When Can I Go Back To Work Or School?

Usually about a week.

Who Will Perform My Treatment?

The surgery will be performed by one of our highly-trained specialists in the field.

How Much Does It Cost?

Depends on treatment chosen. Please call TopSurgeons at 800-506-8084 for more information.

Will My Insurance Cover?

Insurance companies should cover this procedure.