Snoring Treatment in Savannah and Pooler, GA

According to The American Academy of Otolaryngology, about 45 percent of adults snore occasionally. Though snoring can affect anyone, it is most common in men and people who are overweight. Snoring once and awhile is perfectly normal, but snoring on a regular basis can disrupt both your sleep patterns and the sleep patterns of those around you. The board-certified physicians at Coastal Ear, Nose & Throat specialize in diagnosing and treating the causes of snoring. Call (912) 355-2335 to schedule an appointment at our office in Savannah or Pooler, GA today!

What Causes Snoring?

Snoring is caused when air cannot flow through the back of the throat and the nose freely. The obstruction causes the noisy, vibrating sounds of snoring. The air flow can be obstructed for a variety of reasons, such as:

The Anatomy of your Mouth – Anatomical reasons, such as a low palate, poor muscle tone in the throat, poor muscle tone in the tongue and narrow airways can cause snoring.

Obstruction of Nasal Airways – About 20 percent of people who snore only snore during allergy seasons or when they have a cold or sinus infection. Having a deviated septum, swollen turbinates or nasal polyps can also cause the nasal airway to have an obstruction.

Alcohol Consumption – Drinking alcohol before sleep can relax your throat muscles and decrease your defenses against airway obstruction.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea – OSA is the most serious cause of snoring. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is when airway obstruction during sleep results in short periods of time where the snorer stops breathing. OSA is often linked to sleep deprivation, heart attack, irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure.

Oral Appliance Therapy to Treat Snoring

The FDA recognizes this method to treat snoring. It involves putting a custom-fitted device in your mouth at night to help open up your airways naturally overtime, restricting the tongue from collapsing by holding the lower jaw. We are partnered with 1st Line Medical’s Somnoguard. The device is in two pieces and is adjustable to be custom fit to any patient. It brings the lower jaw forward which brings the tongue and muscles surrounding it to move forward as well, opening up your airway.

Pillar Procedure to Treat Snoring

The Pillar Procedure is only 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.