Snoring once and awhile is perfectly normal, but dealing with symptoms of sleep apnea on a regular basis can disrupt both your sleep patterns and effect those around you. During May, which is Better Sleep Month, learn about the factors that could cause you to have poor sleep quality.
Getting Better Sleep
If you’re not getting enough quality sleep, it can affect your whole day. There are many factors in getting better sleep, including your bedroom, your bed, sleep positions, and sleep disorders. If snoring is causing a problem in your sleep pattern, it’s important to first understand what is causing your snoring.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Lifestyle changes, like losing weight, and treatments, like wearing a mouthpiece when you sleep, may treat your snoring or sleep apnea. If it doesn’t help with your symptoms, there are other procedures and surgeries than can help open your airways. If you snore or have other symptoms of sleep apnea, see if you should talk with Dr. Oliver about sleep apnea surgery.
Snoring surgery treatment
The Pillar Procedure is a snoring treatment surgery that only takes about 20 minutes and is done under local anesthesia. It aims to stiffen the soft the pallet, which is believed to be the source of snoring for 80% of people. This is done by placing small implants into the pallet which strengthens it overtime, reducing the vibration of the tissue that causes snoring. It’s a good alternative for people who don’t want to wear equipment to bed.
Obstructive sleep apnea surgery treatment
Hyoid Suspension – This procedure involves securing the very flexible hyoid bone by connecting it to the thyroid cartilage (adam’s apple) and moving around the tongue muscles and tissues surrounding it. The procedure is done under general anesthesia and Dr. Oliver will make a small incision in the upper neck area, usually an easily concealable spot, detaches some muscle and tissue and inserts a device to help secure the hyoid bone.
Tongue Ablation – Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure to tighten the base of the tongue to help cure snoring and sleep apnea. It helps treat loose tongue muscles, enlarged tongues and sleep apnea caused by those two conditions.
Learn more about ways we can help your sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea should be diagnosed and treated immediately as it can lead to other health problems. Contact Coastal Ear, Nose & Throat to schedule an appointment with Dr. Oliver, a sleep apnea specialist.