Snoring is a very common problem; about 90 million American adults snore. Men and overweight people of either sex are the most likely to snore, and snoring tends to worsen as people get older. Due to the large number of people who have snoring issues, many people contact our office looking for their options regarding professional snoring treatments.
When a person sleeps, their tongue flops backwards and their throat muscles relax so their throat becomes lax and narrow. The throat’s walls vibrate as the patient sleeps and produces the characteristic sound of snoring. That vibration and noise increase as the airway becomes narrower. In some cases, the throat’s walls collapse completely and block the airway altogether, creating a serious condition called apnea. About half of the patients who snore loudly have sleep apnea.
When Should Someone Seek Professional Snoring Treatments?
In general, snoring is a problem if it’s accompanied by any of the following:
• Noted pauses in breathing while sleeping
• Not feeling refreshed after waking up in the morning
• Feeling confused upon waking up at night
• Excessive sleepiness during the day
• Morning headaches
• Changes in one’s ability to remember, concentrate or pay attention
• Recent weight gain
How Can Snoring Be Treated?
Snoring treatments are not one-size-fits-all. This is because the right treatment will depend on the cause of the snoring, as well as other factors. Behavioral modification has shown to be effective in many cases. Often times, appliances may be used to encourage continuous pressure in the airway. The right treatment for you will depend on the unique situation. Common treatments include:
• Radiofrequency ablation palatoplasty
• Nasal septoplasty
• Nasal turbinate reductions
• Tonsillectomy
• Tongue base reductions
• Uvulopalatopharygoplasty, or UPPP
• Genioglossus and hyoid advancement
Contact Our Office Today
During a consultation at Ayala ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery, you can learn about all of your options regarding snoring treatments. Sometimes, a combination approach is taken for optimal results. When you work with our experienced ENT in McAllen, you can get the help you need to sleep better and enjoy a better quality of life overall. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to learn more about our professional snoring treatments.