Why cant I sleep? Is snoring the reason.
Snoring can be an annoying affliction for yourself and for your loved ones, but you’d think of it just like that – merely an annoyance. But once it shows signs of more than just simple discomfort, leading to breathing difficulties and other complications, then intervention is crucial to health. If simple treatments like relaxation techniques and medicine aren’t helping at all, then you might have to consider surgery options for snoring and sleep apnea. However, one does not simply tell a surgeon to take a scalpel and slice away. One must consult professional help to know what is best to take out.
There are many surgical procedures that can help remedy these afflictions, but a simple coin toss can’t be the deciding factor. The patient must become familiar with these options to know what he/she is getting into. Here are some surgery options for snoring and sleep apnea:
Snoreplasty
The name may sound like a pun, but it is an actual treatment that involves injecting an agent into the uvula and the soft palate which causes a slight inflammation, turning surrounding tissue into scar tissue. This is usually a desired option for most patients as it is simple and non-invasive.
Laser-assisted Uvoplasty
Basically takes away the uvula, which is the cause of most snoring cases. Also corrects enlarged tonsils and adenoids that may be blocking the airway. Under local anaesthesia, the patient will undergo the procedure with a CO2 laser, which is effective at approximately 45-75% of the time. However, this is not exactly recommended for sleep apnea, but is good for loud snorers.
Nasal Surgery
If the cause is mostly through the nasal cavity, then the cause may be a deviated septum or some other obstructions in the area. This calls for corrective procedures in the nose, which calls for several different processes like rhinoplasty and removal of excess tissue.
Somnoplasty
This is a minimally-invasive procedure that involves the use of radio frequency via needle electrode to take away excess tissue in the upper portions of a patient’s airway. It is performed under local anesthesia and has a quick recovery time. However, it does take more than one session to complete treatment.
Genioglossus Advancement
This one deals with the genioglossus, which is the muscle that controls the movement of the tongue itself. By operating on this part, it aims to open up the air passage. To keep it from falling into the back of the throat, which causes the obstruction by inserting a screw into the lower jawbone.
Mandibular Maxillar Advancement Surgery
This one is serious and very invasive which should be reserved for severe apnea cases. This procedure aims to correct the anatomy of the throat and face that is causing the problem.
These surgery options for snoring and sleep apnea are available upon the doctor’s recommendation and should be seen as a serious matter. When looking for a treatment for your condition, make sure that you have the information concerning the medical procedures so that you know what is best for you, considering the risks involved.
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This post was written by admin on April 26, 2009
