Snoring can disrupt a person’s sleep and affect the quality of their life. It can also indicate a serious health condition. There are many options for treatment of snoring, including medications and surgery. If you are bothered by snoring and want to get better sleep, the first step is to make an appointment with your GP.
Your GP will examine your mouth and nose to check the severity of your snoring. The GP may recommend a snoring appliance, which can be effective if it is well fitted. In addition, losing weight, avoiding alcohol, and stopping smoking can reduce snoring.부산코골이
Nasal congestion can increase snoring, and a saline rinse or spray can relieve this congestion. Several brands of nasal saline are available in the pharmacy aisle, including Ocean Air, Simply Saline, and Breathe Right. Nasal strips, which look like a band-aid and lift the bridge of the nose to open the airway, can also be helpful.
A person’s snoring can be caused by poor jaw alignment during sleep, and a mouthpiece can help align the jaw to improve airflow. Over-the-counter snore guards are widely available and inexpensive. However, they do not work for everyone, and some are uncomfortable. If snoring persists, your GP may recommend more invasive techniques to open the airway.부산이비인후과
Surgery to reshape the soft palate (Uvulopalatoplasty, or UPPP) can be effective for some people. UPPP is done in an office-based procedure under local anesthesia, and multiple treatment sessions may be required. It is less invasive than injection snoreplasty and costs less than palatal implants.
Another option to consider is radiofrequency treatment, which uses heat to stiffen portions of the soft palate and open the airway. Unlike UPPP, this procedure is performed in an outpatient setting, and the discomfort is usually minimal.
In severe cases of snoring, the doctor may advise removal of the tonsils and adenoids. These glandular structures are found in the back of the throat and tongue, and when enlarged can cause snoring and impede breathing. The tonsils and adenoids can be surgically removed, and in some cases this can be combined with UPPP for an even more dramatic reduction in snoring.
If your snoring is accompanied by other symptoms, such as trouble concentrating during the day, being sleepy during the day, or apnea, your GP will likely refer you to a sleep specialist or otolaryngologist for further examination and testing. These tests can include a sleep study, which is conducted at home or in a laboratory, to determine whether you have obstructive sleep apnea, a serious disorder characterized by intermittently stopping and starting breath during the night.
While watching snoring improve on its own is often possible, most people will need to see their GP or otolaryngologist for some form of medical treatment. The good news is that there are many options available for treating snoring, and the benefits of improved sleep can be enormous. This article has been reviewed by Dr. Walter James, a board-certified ear, nose and throat specialist with Piedmont Heart Institute.