Learn How To Stop Snoring Without Surgery Blog

Dr. Mark Converse says surgically clearing apnea patients’ airways is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. “The concept is, with sleep apnea, there’s blockage — whether in the nose, in the soft palate, or by the tongue. … There are lots of different surgeries tailored to open up the area that is blocked,” he explains.

Donna was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea because her snoring regularly caused her to stop breathing. Though simple snoring can cause serious sleep deprivation, it can often be treated by the tennis ball method or with an oral appliance that positions the jaw and tongue forward to prevent snoring. In extreme cases, an outpatient procedure known as Radio Frequency Palate Stiffening offers a high rate of success for some snorers. As Converse describes it, a radio-frequency probe is applied to “stiffen the floppy tissues” in the back of the throat, near the uvula, that vibrate to create snoring. The process takes about 30 minutes and requires no recovery time, though acetaminophen may be needed for pain. Multiple treatments may be necessary.

In cases of apnea, Converse usually prescribes CPAP treatment before recommending surgery. Though CPAP machines are usually effective and can be used long-term, Converse notes claustrophobic users may be uncomfortable wearing the mask and that some people unknowingly remove the mask while they sleep.

Alternatively, patients may opt for surgery, as Donna did. Converse has treated many of his apnea patients with uvuloplatopharyngoplasty (”UPPP”), which is aimed at removing tissue from the soft palate and back of the throat. Tonsil removal is another way he creates more air space to allow patients to breathe better. These two procedures are often paired to treat apnea sufferers, such as in Donna’s case, but Converse says children with apnea are often cured through tonsillectomy alone.

Tongue surgery is another option for opening up breathing passages. This operation focuses on the back part of the tongue, near the throat. Surprisingly, Converse describes it as a less painful option than UPPP and tonsillectomy.

The first signs of severe snoring problems or apnea may be consistent, extreme sleepiness. Converse recommends being assessed by a sleep specialist as a good first step to cure.

(info from http://dnj.midsouthnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050611/LIFESTYLE/506110315/1024)