Sometimes snoring can be eliminated by using stop snoring aids or losing weight. Other times there is just no way to naturally reverse the cause of your snoring. You don’t have to abandon hope though because simple surgery can be very effective at stopping snoring. The two common snoring surgeries are thermal ablation palatoplasty and ubulopalatopharyngoplasty.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty involves surgical removal of excess tissue in the airways. This might be partial removal of the uvula, tonsils, adenoids, pharynx, or soft palate. With the tissue removed, the airway is wider so air is able to pass though more easily, so obstruction and snoring are reduced or eliminated. If you decide to have this surgical procedure, be prepared to recover for at least three weeks. During recovery you will experience a sore throat and difficulty in swallowing.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is only indicated if you have too much tissue crowding your airway such as an enlarged uvula or adenoids. It is used as a last resort after trying other methods to stop snoring like losing weight. There is no guarantee this surgery will eliminate your snoring. Like any other kind of surgery there are some risks you should consider. These include infection, bleeding and change in voice quality.
Thermal ablation palatoplasty is also used to remove or shrink excess tissue. However it is usually done in your doctor’s office under a local anesthesia and multiple sessions are required. There are three kinds of thermal ablation palatoplasty: laser, cautery, and radiofrequency. For example, with laser assisted thermal ablation palatoplasty, your doctor uses a laser to trim away part of your uvula. Radiofrequency waves are used in order to shrink tissue and cautery cuts tissue away.
Complications with thermal ablation palatoplasty are rare. You should not use aspirin or NSAIDS two weeks before your surgery or two weeks after to reduce the risk of excess bleeding. It is possible that an ulcer or hole will develop in the soft palate after this procedure. Although painful, it usually heals in just a few days. You might also experience a change in the sound of your voice and have food come into your nose when you swallow. These effects are usually temporary and should pass within the first few days.
Other surgeries may help to reduce snoring as well. A simple tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy may clear your snoring if it is caused by enlarged tonsils or adenoids. The Pillar Procedure may be used for less serious cases of snoring that are caused by the collapse of the soft palate. With this procedure, your doctor inserts woven implants into your soft palate. Your body responds to this by strengthening your soft palate over time so it does not fall into your airway while you are sleeping.
When it comes to snoring surgery, your doctor will likely save it as a last resort. He will probably want you to lose weight first and maybe even try stop snoring aids. Snoring surgery is painful and carries a risk of complications, although complications are rare. However, if it is necessary to finally end your snoring problem once and for all then it may be worth it to have surgery. Discuss your snoring problem with your doctor so you are well informed about the risks and benefits before making a decision.
Filed under Articles by on Nov 6th, 2009. Comment. 
Everyone likes to joke about snoring, but if you are the one who snores, you know it is no laughing matter. There are many disadvantages to snoring and no advantages other than it may alert you to a serious medical condition. Snoring can be bad for your mental and physical health and drive your sleeping partner crazy.
Some people snore so bad that they have to sleep alone because their spouses cannot sleep through the racket. Are you one of the people embarrassed by your snoring? If you are driving your significant other nuts then you probably want to find a way to stop snoring, if not for yourself, then for your loved one. Thankfully, there are many stop snoring aids on the market that you can try until you find something that works so you don’t have to worry about being an outcast at night. Even if your sleeping partner toughs it out with you through the night, if she pokes and kicks you several times a night to get you to stop snoring, you can suffer the effects of disrupted sleep.
If you are snoring, you are not sleeping well. It’s true that snoring happens when your muscles become deeply relaxed but that doesn’t mean you are getting restful sleep. Snoring is a sign that your airway is obstructed, either in your nose or your throat. Snoring is the sound produced as you struggle to get air in your lungs. This lack of restful sleep can leave you feeling tired and grumpy the next day. If you snore every night you may feel chronically tired.
The struggle to get air into your lungs can have an affect upon your physical health as well. It may cause an increase in your blood pressure and stress your heart and arteries. If your breathing becomes blocked, your oxygen saturation level can plummet and cause harm to your cardiovascular system or your brain. This means if you snore you may be at a higher risk of heart attack or stroke.
The negative effects of snoring can extend into your daily activities. Because of poor sleep and the effects on your physical health, you may not be as productive at work. You may lack energy and stamina to go about your normal activities. You might not be as alert and are at a higher risk of automobile accidents. Because snoring can take a toll on your performance and overall well-being, it can contribute indirectly to depression.
Snoring caused by obstructive sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that needs to be treated because of the strain it places on your cardiovascular system. Not all snoring is that serious. You snoring may just be a source of embarrassment and irritation and not necessarily a threat to your health. You no doubt are anxious to find a way to end your snoring once and for all if for no other reason than to bring peace and harmony into your bedroom at night. The first step is to determine what causes you to snore so you can take corrective actions. You may be able to get relief from an over the counter stop snoring aid, you may need to lose weight, or you may need to have surgery. Relief from snoring could be as simple as changing your sleeping position. The important thing to know is that there is relief from the negative effects of snoring, all you have to do is search it out.
Filed under Articles by on Nov 5th, 2009. Comment.
Everyone probably snores now and then, but for some people snoring is an every night occurrence and can be a real problem. Are you one of the millions of people who struggle with snoring problems? If so, you may be able to put an end to your struggle when you find out what is making you snore. It’s possible you can eliminate the cause and put an end to snore filled nights for good.
People who are overweight tend to be chronic snorers. Although it isn’t easy, if you can get your weight to within the normal range for your size, you may be able to put an end to your problem. Obesity is one of the most common causes of snoring. The reason it makes you snore is because of the weight of excess fat tissue pressing on your airway as you sleep. When you lie down, gravity adds to the problem by forcing your weight against your airways and lungs. Excess fat tissue around your neck can actually cause your airway to collapse which causes snoring.
If you are very overweight, you might even suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. This occurs when your airway collapses and no air is able to flow into your lungs for short periods of time. This can lead to all kinds of health problems and leave you feeling tired the next day. In this way, snoring can actually be an indication of a more serious medical condition.
Sleeping posture can also be counted as one of the causes of snoring. People generally snore when sleeping on their backs. If this is true for you, place some pillows behind your back so you stay on your side all night. You could even try sewing a tennis ball into the back of your nightshirt so when you roll onto your back the discomfort makes you roll back to your side. One way to combat gravity’s effect on your snoring is to put a wedge under your mattress or put the head of your bed up on blocks. This way you are not totally flat, but sleep at an incline which takes pressure off of your airway and helps to reduce snoring.
Heredity is one of the causes of snoring that you might not be able to do anything about. If you inherited you father’s throat anatomy that caused him to snore, you may be a snorer too. However, you may be able to correct the situation through surgery if your snoring is severe. Physical conditions, inherited or not, can lead to snoring. These include sinus and throat problems.
Alcohol and drugs are also causes of snoring. Try not to drink alcohol at least four hours before going to bed. Alcohol causes your throat muscles to become over relaxed which allows them to collapse which results in snoring. Drugs that act as muscle relaxants or depressants have the same effect. Smoking can also lead to snoring although the exact reason is not known, it may be because it dries out and inflames the airways. If you are in the habit of having a cocktail and smoke before going to bed, that might explain why you snore.
If these common causes of snoring are the root of your problem, you may be able to turn your situation around by losing weight, changing your sleeping posture, or avoiding alcohol before bed. Keep in mind, chronic snoring might be a sign of a medical condition or could be an indication that your breathing is being obstructed at night.
Filed under Articles by on Nov 5th, 2009. Comment.