Snoring: that raspy, crackling, horrendous sound shakes the rafters and keeps everyone awake. A number one complaint from couples and families is that a partner or family member snores. People become irritated; things get touchy; the snorer may find themself the recipient of harsh personal criticism that sounds a lot like “when are you going to do something about it?”
What is Snoring?
Snoring happens when air cannot move freely through your nose and throat during sleep. This makes the surrounding tissues vibrate, which produces an irritating snoring sound. People who snore have too much throat and floppy nasal tissue prone to vibrate. Nearly everyone snores now and then, but when the problem becomes chronic there are things you can do. If snoring enters the realm of Sleep Apnea, a condition marked by dangerous breathing stoppage, medical intervention is a must.
Causes of Snoring
- Mouth anatomy.Having a low, thick, soft palate can narrow your airway.
- People who are overweight may have extra tissues in the back of their throats that may narrow their airways. Likewise, if the triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate (uvula) is elongated, airflow is obstructed, and vibration increased.
- Alcohol consumption.Snoring can also be brought on by consuming too much alcohol before bedtime. Alcohol relaxes throat muscles and decreases your natural defenses against airway obstruction.
- Nasal problems.Chronic nasal congestion or a crooked partition between your nostrils (deviated nasal septum) may contribute to your snoring.
- Sleep deprivation.Not getting enough sleep can lead to further throat relaxation.
- Sleep position.Snoring is typically the most frequent and loudest when sleeping on the back as gravity’s effect on the throat narrows the airway.
Procedures to Correct Snoring
- Pillar procedure (palatal implant) also called a palatal implant, is a minor surgery used to treat snoring and less severe cases of sleep apnea. It involves surgically implanting small polyester (plastic) rods into the soft upper palate of your mouth.
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a surgical procedure involving the removal of some soft tissues in the back of the throat. It includes the uvula as well as parts of the throat wall and palate.
- Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) is an extensive surgical procedure that moves the upper (maxilla) and lower (mandibular) jaws forward to open your airway. The extra openness of the airways reduces obstructions that enhance snoring.
- Hypoglossal nerve stimulation A surgically implanted device stimulates the hypoglossal nerve controlling the muscles in the upper airway to keep airways open and reduce snoring.
- Septoplasty and turbinate reduction are used to eliminate or alleviate physical deformities in your nose that contribute to snoring or obstructive sleep apnea.
Think Oral Implants and Periodontics provides the best in implant and periodontic care, significant in the way you breathe. If you live in the Paoli, PA area and have questions call us now at (610) 550-3333. Offices located at 250 W. Lancaster Ave., Suite 215, Paoli, PA 19301.
