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Slep and Snoring Disorders!
HOW
COMMON IS SNORING?
One out of every four people is a habitual snorer. The problem is more frequent
in males and the overweight, and worsens with age.
WHAT
ARE THE EXISTING TREATMENTS FOR SNORING?
Snoring 'cures' vary widely, ranging from sewing a tennis ball into a snorer's
pajama back to electric shock mechanisms that give the snorer an unpleasant
jolt. Most of these remedies and devices are based upon some sort of sleep
behavior modification with the presumption that a person can be trained or
conditioned not to snore. Unfortunately, the snorer has no control over snoring
whatsoever, and if these devices do work, it is probably because they keep
the snorer awake.
WHAT
CAUSES SNORING?
Modern medical science has discovered that snoring is often related to physical
obstructive breathing during sleep. This physical obstruction occurs when
the muscles of the palate, the uvula, and sometimes the tonsils relax during
deep sleep, and act as vibrating noise-makers when the air or breathing moves
across them. Excessive bulkiness of tissue in the back of the throat as it
narrows into the airway can also contribute to snoring, as can a long palate
and/or uvula.
SHOULD
I WORRY IF I SNORE?
Socially, snoring is disruptive to family life, causing other family members
sleepless nights and often resentfulness. Snorers become unwelcome roommates
on vacations or business trips. Also, snoring actually disturbs the sleeping
patterns of the snorer, making restful sleep difficult. Finally, snoring can
be an indicator of obstructive sleep apnea - a serious medical problem.
WHAT
IS OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA?
Obstructive sleep apnea
is diagnosed when loud snoring is interrupted by episodes of completely obstructed
breathing. This condition can be serious and sometimes fatal if these episodes
last over ten seconds and occur more than seven times an hour. The cumulative
effect of these obstructed breathing episodes is reduced blood oxygen levels
to the brain, forcing the snorer to stay in a lighter sleep stage so that
the breathing passage muscles are kept tighter. This prevents the snorer from
obtaining the rest benefit achieved only during deep sleep, and can lead to
a tendency to fall asleep during daytime hours-on the job, or worse, at the
wheel of a car.
WHAT
IS THE LASER TREATMENT OF SNORING?
Laser treatment is much like a visit to a dentist. The patient is treated
right in the doctor's office-sitting upright and fully awake in a comfortable
chair. After local anesthesia (Lidocaine) is applied, the laser is used to
trim and reshape the uvula, which has no real function. Each session takes
about ten minutes, and the full treatment is spread over three to five sessions
spaced about four week apart.
WHAT
ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF LASER TREATMENT?
The multiple sessions keep the pain down to a mild sore throat for a few days;
there is no bleeding with laser treatment. Eating and speaking are not affected.
Patients go right back to their normal activity after each session. The biggest
advantage to treatment with the laser, however, is that it works. An immediate
reduction in snoring is common, with significant improvement usually occurring
after the second session. In 85% of patients the snoring is cured, while an
additional 12% report a reduced level of snoring.
HOW
DO I KNOW IF LASER TREATMENT IS RIGHT FOR ME?
The initial consultation with your doctor will include an examination to determine
whether laser treatment for snoring is indicated. The procedure is only performed
on adults over the age of sixteen. If you and your doctor decide to go ahead
with the laser surgery, a series of appointments will be scheduled.
WILL
INSURANCE COVER THE COST OF TREATMENT?
Most insurance carriers do not reimburse the treatment of snoring, as is the
case for cosmetic procedure. However, surgery for the treatment of obstructive
sleep apnea is often covered. Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea must be
documented by a sleep study (polysomnography). You should check with your
insurance carrier for information about your specific benefits.
Here are
the members of Head & Neck Surgical Group who specialize in the treatment
of snoring and sleep disorders:
Yosef
Krespi MD, FACS
Any further
questions, please e-mail to hnsg@aol.com,
or call (212) 262-4444, (1-800) NY-NYENT.
Test
your sleepiness
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