{"id":258,"date":"2021-04-15T15:08:47","date_gmt":"2021-04-15T22:08:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nesilv.fm1.dev\/ear-nose-throat-care\/snoring\/"},"modified":"2021-07-13T14:10:32","modified_gmt":"2021-07-13T21:10:32","slug":"snoring","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nesilv.com\/ent\/snoring\/","title":{"rendered":"Snoring"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [{\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"What is snoring?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"Snoring is extremely common: 45 percent of American adults snore occasionally, and 25 percent are habitual snorers. While many consider it a mere nuisance, snoring is actually a sleep disorder that can be the sign of a serious medical condition.\"\n    }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"What causes snoring?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"When you sleep, your tongue, throat muscles and soft palate relax. If they relax too much, they can droop backward and block the airway, vibrating together when you breathe. This causes the telltale noisy sounds associated with snoring. The more the airway is obstructed, the louder the snoring will be. There are several factors that increase the odds you will snore. People with bulky throat tissue or an enlarged soft palate are more at risk for snoring, as are those who experience frequent nasal congestion, have a deviated septum, nasal polyps, enlarged tonsils or adenoids as well as those who drink alcohol before bedtime.\"\n    }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"What are the signs of sleep apnea?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"The main sign of sleep apnea is chronic, loud snoring. Symptoms include daytime drowsiness, lack of concentration, memory loss, irritability and depression. You may experience frequent morning headaches and sore throats and wake up with a dry mouth.\"\n    }\n }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"Who is most likely to develop sleep apnea?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"Those who are male, overweight and older than the age of 40 are most at risk, though sleep apnea can \u2013 and does \u2013 affect people of both sexes and all ages. Other factors that can contribute to sleep apnea include natural aging, excessive or bulky throat tissue, large soft palate or uvula, small jaw, large neck and oversized tonsils or adenoids.\"\n }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"Who is most likely to snore?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"The typical snorer is overweight, male and over the age of 40. Snoring tends to worsen with age. In some individuals, the airway becomes so obstructed that breathing is interrupted; this leads to a serious medical condition known as sleep apnea.\"\n    }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"How can you quit snoring?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"If your snoring isn\u2019t a complication of sleep apnea, implementing lifestyle changes may help eliminate the problem. Useful tips include: sleeping on your side instead of your back, losing weight, avoiding alcohol before bedtime, treating allergies and eliminating tobacco smoke.\"\n }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"Can surgery be used to correct snoring?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"Some individuals might benefit from surgical techniques such as: Pillar Procedure, Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), Laser Surgery and Somnoplasty.\"\n }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"What is somnoplasty?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"Somnoplasty is a surgical procedure for treating snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. It works by shrinking tissue in the upper airway, including the uvula, soft palate or base of the tongue using radiofrequency energy. This enlarges the throat and nose space, allowing for unobstructed breathing.\"\n }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"What is coblation palatoplasty?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"Coblation palatoplasty is a surgical procedure used to treat snoring and mild cases of obstructive sleep apnea. It is similar in concept to liposuction, and involves reducing the size and thickness of the soft palate and uvula.\"\n }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"What is injection snoreplasty?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"Injection snoreplasty is a minimally invasive nonsurgical treatment for patients whose soft palate vibrates during sleep, causing snoring. It involves injecting a material into the upper palate in order to stiffen the soft palate, reducing vibrations and minimizing snoring.\"\n }\n}\n ]\n  }\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Snoring is extremely common: 45 percent of American adults snore occasionally, and 25 percent are habitual snorers. While many consider it a mere nuisance, snoring is actually a sleep disorder that can be the sign of a serious medical condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>What Causes Snoring?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"852\" src=\"https:\/\/nesilv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/iStock_57199838_XLARGE-1280x852.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-602\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nesilv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/iStock_57199838_XLARGE-1280x852.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/nesilv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/iStock_57199838_XLARGE-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nesilv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/iStock_57199838_XLARGE-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nesilv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/iStock_57199838_XLARGE.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>When you sleep, your tongue, throat muscles and soft palate relax. If they relax too much, they can droop backward and block the airway, vibrating together when you breathe. This causes the telltale noisy sounds associated with snoring. The more the airway is obstructed, the louder the snoring will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several factors that increase the odds you will snore. People with bulky throat tissue or an enlarged soft palate are more at risk for snoring, as are those who experience frequent nasal congestion, have a deviated septum, nasal polyps, enlarged tonsils or adenoids as well as those who drink alcohol before bedtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The typical snorer is overweight, male and over the age of 40. Snoring tends to worsen with age. In some individuals, the airway becomes so obstructed that breathing is interrupted; this leads to a serious medical condition known as sleep apnea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Tips for Quieting Your Snoring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If your snoring isn\u2019t a complication of sleep apnea, implementing lifestyle changes may help eliminate the problem. Useful tips include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Sleeping on your side instead of your back.<\/li><li>Losing weight.<\/li><li>Avoiding alcohol before bedtime.<\/li><li>Treating allergies.<\/li><li>Eliminating tobacco smoke.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If lifestyle modifications do not solve the problem, oral appliances that reposition the lower jaw may help. Another alternative is nasal breathing strips. Some individuals might benefit from surgical techniques such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Pillar Procedure<\/strong>. Polyester filament is injected into the soft palate to stiffen it and reduce snoring.<\/li><li><strong>Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). <\/strong>Excess throat tissue is surgically removed to enlarge the airway. This may include the uvula, soft palate, tonsils, adenoids and\/or pharynx.<\/li><li><strong>Laser Surgery.<\/strong> Lasers are used to remove the uvula and excess tissue from the soft palate.<\/li><li><strong>Somnoplasty.<\/strong> Also known as radiofrequency tissue ablation, this procedure uses radio signals to shrink the tissue of the soft palate.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>Snoring Treatments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Snoring is a problem that affects a large number of adults; about 45 percent of people snore at least occasionally, and one in five American adults are habitual snorers. It\u2019s no laughing matter either: snoring can cause a rift in the strongest of relationships because it robs the spouse of rest and can lead to a variety of problems ranging from resentment to separate bedrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only that, but snoring may be hazardous to your health; it is often the sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breath during sleep. This prevents the sufferer from getting restorative sleep and causes daytime drowsiness, irritability, confusion and loss of memory. It increases the risk of automobile accidents and can lead to serious medical complications including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and high blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many treatment options for snorers, including medical procedures and natural remedies or simple lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Somnoplasty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Somnoplasty is a surgical procedure for treating snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. It works by shrinking tissue in the upper airway, including the uvula, soft palate or base of the tongue using radiofrequency energy. This enlarges the throat and nose space, allowing for unobstructed breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Somnoplasty is an outpatient procedure that relies on low levels of radiofrequency heat energy to shrink tissue. The patient is given a local anesthetic, and the entire procedure takes only 30 to 45 minutes. A thin, needle-like electrode is used to create lesions beneath the lining of the soft tissues in the throat. The body reabsorbs the lesions during the healing process, which takes from three to eight weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Patients may be monitored overnight, but can usually return to their normal routines the next day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This minimally invasive treatment method causes less pain than similar procedures used for upper airway obstruction and is considered a safe and effective treatment with fewer side effects and less risk of complication. Because a lower temperature is used and delivery of the radiofrequency energy is precisely controlled, there is considerably less pain involved, and the patient benefits from a quicker recovery time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Side effects such as swelling and discomfort are common but short-lived, typically lasting no more than a few days. More serious complications such as pain, infection, bleeding and changes in the voice are rare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More than one treatment may be needed for best results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Coblation Palatoplasty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Coblation palatoplasty is a surgical procedure used to treat snoring and mild cases of obstructive sleep apnea. It is similar in concept to liposuction, and involves reducing the size and thickness of the soft palate and uvula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The procedure is performed using a local anesthetic in an outpatient setting. Once the back of the mouth is numbed, a needle-like device is inserted into the soft palate and portions of the soft palate and uvula (and in some cases, the tonsils) are removed. Scarring from the operation stiffens the palate, reducing the vibrations associated with snoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Afterward, antibiotics and painkillers are prescribed, and it is recommended that you gargle with saline for about a week following meals in order to keep the wound clean. Physical activity should be limited for a day or two following the procedure. Drink plenty of liquids and work your way up from soft foods initially. Side effects are rare, but a little minor bleeding may occur in the first 24 hours. There may be some ear pain due to the proximity of a hearing nerve to the area being treated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Injection Snoreplasty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Injection snoreplasty is a minimally invasive nonsurgical treatment for patients whose soft palate vibrates during sleep, causing snoring. It involves injecting a material into the upper palate in order to stiffen the soft palate, reducing vibrations and minimizing snoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best candidates for this procedure are those whose snoring is the result of a vibrating, or fluttering, soft palate. It will not work for individuals experiencing sleep apnea, or whose snoring is the result of tongue size or position. It works best in women displaying early snoring and in men who have no additional factors (e.g. airway blockages) contributing to their snoring. It is not generally recommended for treatment of snoring in children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Injection snoreplasty is performed on an outpatient basis utilizing local anesthesia. The roof of the mouth is numbed with a topical anesthetic, and an agent (known as a sclerosant) is injected into the soft palate. The process takes approximately 45 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most patients are able to return to work the following day. Some discomfort is normal for a few days following the procedure but is easily managed with pain relievers and throat lozenges. Snoring may continue for a few days but should lessen or disappear as scar tissue forms and the soft palate no longer vibrates. A temporary change in the voice may occur as the soft palate swells, and some patients may have difficulty swallowing. These symptoms should clear up within a few days or weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Injection snoreplasty is considered a safe procedure. Other than allergic reactions in a few patients, there are no significant complications or side effects. Those whose snoring is a result of soft palate vibrations and who are not suffering from sleep apnea show a good reduction in snoring even years after undergoing the procedure, though in some patients repeat injections are necessary for maximum effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Lifestyle Changes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Changing your sleep position<\/strong>. Snoring occurs when the tongue and throat tissue sag down during sleep, blocking the airway. Sleeping on your back worsens this, so try sleeping on your side instead. If you have a tendency to roll over onto your back, try taping a tennis ball to the back of your pajamas to prevent this. Using a body pillow can also help you remain on your side. Try elevating the head of the bed a few inches, or prop yourself up using pillows.<\/li><li><strong>Losing weight<\/strong>. A majority of those who snore are overweight. Excess weight around the neck can narrow your airway and make you more prone to snoring. Losing 10 percent of your overall weight can make a big difference.<\/li><li><strong>Avoiding alcohol before bedtime<\/strong>. Alcohol acts as a muscle relaxer, reducing muscle tone in the back of your throat and making snoring more likely. You should restrict alcohol intake four to five hours before going to sleep.<\/li><li><strong>Quitting smoking<\/strong>. Tobacco smoke irritates the membranes of the nose and throat, leading to blocked airways and an increased risk of snoring.<\/li><li><strong>Maintaining a regular sleep routine<\/strong>. Try to go to bed at the same time every night. An odd schedule can result in too little sleep, which leads to excessive tiredness. When you sleep hard, the muscles become more relaxed, leading to snoring.<\/li><li><strong>Keeping your nasal passages open<\/strong>. A stuffy nose can prevent air from moving freely, causing snoring. Try taking a hot shower before bed or rinsing your nose with a saline solution or Neti pot. Nasal strips may help keep your nasal passages open.<\/li><li><strong>Staying hydrated<\/strong>. Drink plenty of fluids to moisten your throat and palate.<\/li><li><strong>Using a humidifier at night<\/strong>. This will help prevent dry air from irritating the membranes in your nose and throat.<\/li><li><strong>Playing the didgeridoo<\/strong>. Learning to play this Australian wind instrument can strengthen the soft palate and throat, reducing the odds that you\u2019ll snore.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><p class=\"site-cta\">Call <span class=\"company-name \">Nevada Ear + Sinus Institute<\/span> at <a href=\"tel:+17027357668\" class=\"phone \"> <span class=\"phNum\">(702) 735-7668<\/span><\/a> for more information or to schedule an appointment. <div class=\"nvd-cutout-icon-wrapper\"><span class=\"cut-out\"><svg class=\"logo-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" width=\"24px\" height=\"24px\" viewbox=\"0 0 121 121\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\r\n  <path d=\"M60.0224 5.0457e-05C37.1446 -0.0295484 16.2448 12.9653 6.15073 33.4959C-3.94338 54.0265 -1.47144 78.5124 12.5224 96.6112L34.1336 96.6112C44.3342 96.4594 52.5236 88.1463 52.5224 77.9445L52.5224 71.6667C49.1495 74.5534 44.8509 76.1309 40.4113 76.1112C32.8184 76.0795 25.9871 71.4913 23.0857 64.4745C20.1843 57.4577 21.7803 49.3849 27.1335 44L28.1336 43.0556C27.4181 42.5614 26.7487 42.0036 26.1336 41.3889C21.4572 36.2934 21.543 28.4418 26.3295 23.4497C31.1161 18.4576 38.9572 18.042 44.2447 22.5C45.371 20.0063 46.9537 17.7452 48.9113 15.8334C53.2872 11.457 59.2225 8.99837 65.4113 8.99837C71.6001 8.99837 77.5354 11.457 81.9113 15.8334C88.5853 22.5067 90.582 32.5434 86.9701 41.2629C83.3583 49.9824 74.8493 55.6674 65.4113 55.6667C63.3457 55.6701 61.2895 55.3897 59.3002 54.8334L59.3002 77.9445C59.8425 87.9037 68.0762 95.7013 78.0502 95.7013C88.0242 95.7013 96.2579 87.9037 96.8002 77.9445C97.1195 73.0262 94.6768 68.3386 90.4628 65.7826C86.2487 63.2267 80.9628 63.2267 76.7488 65.7826C72.5347 68.3386 70.092 73.0262 70.4113 77.9445C70.4113 82.1787 73.8438 85.6112 78.078 85.6112C82.3122 85.6112 85.7447 82.1787 85.7447 77.9445C85.7154 76.7602 84.7623 75.8071 83.578 75.7778C82.4031 75.808 81.4665 76.7692 81.4669 77.9445C81.4669 79.8161 79.9496 81.3334 78.078 81.3334C77.1696 81.3483 76.2933 80.9978 75.6457 80.3607C74.9981 79.7235 74.6334 78.853 74.6336 77.9445C74.6336 73.0046 78.6381 69 83.578 69C88.5179 69 92.5224 73.0046 92.5224 77.9445C92.0485 85.5896 85.71 91.5474 78.0502 91.5474C70.3904 91.5474 64.0519 85.5896 63.578 77.9445C63.1878 70.5376 66.9174 63.52 73.2748 59.6993C79.6322 55.8786 87.5793 55.8786 93.9367 59.6993C100.294 63.52 104.024 70.5376 103.634 77.9445C103.625 89.4792 95.8898 99.5781 84.7558 102.592C73.6219 105.606 61.849 100.788 56.0224 90.8334L55.9113 90.6667C55.9113 90.7223 55.8558 90.7778 55.8002 90.8334C51.3707 98.3853 43.3835 103.144 34.6335 103.444L18.6891 103.444C38.2261 122.055 67.7826 125.334 90.9243 111.46C114.066 97.5862 125.1 69.9712 117.891 43.97C110.683 17.9687 87.0045 -0.0224246 60.0224 5.0457e-05\" fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"none\" \/>\r\n  <path d=\"M3.45297 20.5C5.69579 22.7351 8.73107 23.9931 11.8974 24C16.7358 23.9896 21.0945 21.0745 22.952 16.6069C24.8095 12.1392 23.8022 6.99317 20.3974 3.55556L20.3974 3.55556C18.1536 1.2813 15.0922 0.000728379 11.8974 0C7.07087 0.0634513 2.74747 2.99972 0.909001 7.46284C-0.929469 11.926 0.0714571 17.0555 3.45297 20.5\" transform=\"translate(28.513916 45.277832)\" fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"none\" \/>\r\n  <path d=\"M10.7222 10.7222C11.8887 9.53596 12.5464 7.94146 12.5556 6.27778C12.5524 4.61291 11.8937 3.01626 10.7222 1.83333C9.53596 0.666853 7.94146 0.00912196 6.27778 0C2.81066 0 0 2.81066 0 6.27778C0 9.7449 2.81066 12.5556 6.27778 12.5556C7.94146 12.5464 9.53596 11.8887 10.7222 10.7222\" transform=\"translate(29.133545 25.888916)\" fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"none\" \/>\r\n  <path d=\"M4.83335 28.2481L4.83335 28.2481C10.4138 33.8435 19.171 34.7148 25.7445 30.3285C32.3181 25.9423 34.8751 17.5216 31.8505 10.2207C28.8259 2.91987 21.0629 -1.2254 13.3134 0.322223C5.5638 1.86984 -0.0115332 8.67882 1.79156e-05 16.5814C0.00641242 20.9561 1.74408 25.1505 4.83335 28.2481L4.83335 28.2481\" transform=\"translate(48.855713 15.751953)\" fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"none\" \/>\r\n<\/svg>\r\n<\/span><\/div><\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Snoring is extremely common: 45 percent of American adults snore occasionally, and 25 percent are habitual snorers. While many consider it a mere nuisance, snoring is actually a sleep disorder that can be the sign of a serious medical condition. What Causes Snoring? When you sleep, your tongue, throat muscles and soft palate relax. If&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":212,"menu_order":12,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","schema":"","fname":"","lname":"","position":"","credentials":"","placeID":"","no_match":false,"name":"","company":"","review":"","address":"","city":"","state":"","zip":"","lat":"","lng":"","phone1":"","phone2":"","fax":"","mon1":"","mon2":"","tue1":"","tue2":"","wed1":"","wed2":"","thu1":"","thu2":"","fri1":"","fri2":"","sat1":"","sat2":"","sun1":"","sun2":"","hours-note":""},"service_tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nesilv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/258"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nesilv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nesilv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nesilv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nesilv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=258"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nesilv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/258\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nesilv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nesilv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=258"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"service_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nesilv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/service_tags?post=258"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}