Snoring & Sleep Apnea

 

Pacific ENT Medical Group treats the following disorders: Loud snoring Sleep apnea (obstructive breathing) Surgical treatments

Snoring Treatments

Nasal allergy, infection or deformity; enlargement of the tonsils and adenoids; narrowing of the airway by the palate (roof of mouth) or base of tongue may be causes of snoring.

Treatment options include:

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) - is surgery for treating obstructive sleep apnea. It tightens flabby tissues in the throat and palate, and expands air passages.

Thermal Ablation Palatoplasty (TAP) - refers to procedures and techniques that treat snoring and some patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Different types of TAP include bipolar cautery, laser, and radiofrequency. Laser Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty (LAUP) treats snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea by removing the obstruction in the airway. A laser is used to vaporize the uvula and a specified portion of the palate in a series of small procedures in a doctor's office under local anesthesia. Radiofrequency ablation utilizes a needle electrode to emit energy to shrink excess tissue in the upper airway including the palate and uvula (for snoring), base of the tongue (for obstructive sleep apnea), and nasal turbinates (for chronic nasal obstruction).

Genioglossus and hyod advancement - is a surgical procedure for the treatment of sleep apnea. It prevents collapse of the lower throat and pulls the tongue muscles forward, thereby opening the obstructed airway.

If surgery is too risky or unwanted, the patient may sleep every night with a nasal mask that delivers air pressure into the throat; this is called continuous positive airway pressure or "CPAP".

A chronically snoring child should be examined for problems with his or her tonsils and adenoids. A tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy may be required to return the child to full health.

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