Laser Surgery For Snoring

Snoring is one of the most widespread sleeping disorders, affecting millions of people to varying degrees every night. According to the Mayo Clinic, snoring can be a potentially alarming ailment that can indicate a serious medical problem and cause your significant other many sleepless nights. While a wide variety of treatments are available, laser surgery is among the most popular medical procedures for patients to consider after consultations with a medical professional.

Causes of Snoring

• Every night, millions of people snore, but in many cases it can be excessive. The sound of snoring is caused when air vibrates through the throat, says the Surgery Encyclopedia. Snoring is common and may be due to a variety of factors. Having an oddly shaped mouth, chronic nasal congestion, frequent consumption of alcohol and the presence of sleep apnea are the typical causes for frequent snoring.

Description of Surgery

• Laser surgery for snoring is called uvulopalatoplasty. According to the University of California at San Fransisco, the procedure is normally performed at an outpatient facility and a person is given anesthesia but remains awake as the surgery is completed. A doctor will remove excess tissue of the soft palate and tighten the remaining tissue in the mouth. The goal of the surgery is to widen the size of the patient's airway to increase the airflow and reduce the vibrations of snoring.

Post-Operative Care

• After the surgery is completed, the patient will be allowed to go home and will need to follow the doctor's instructions, cautions the University of California at San Fransisco. The physician will prescribe painkillers and antibiotics if needed to aid in the recovery process. The patient will follow a liquid diet for the first few days, due to swelling in the throat. Sleeping at a 45-degree angle is necessary for the first week because it will reduce the blood flow to the throat and keep swelling to a minimum. Physical activity will be limited for the first three to four weeks of recovery.

Complications

• Undergoing an uvulopalatoplasty carries several risks for complications. The main risk is excessive bleeding. Infection and changes in speech are rare, but can occur in the first few days of recovery. In some cases, snoring will continue to occur but in a more moderate amount than previously. If continued snoring continues to be a problem, a second uvulopalatoplasty may be necessary to eliminate the disorder, says the Surgery Encyclopedia.

Considerations

• Not all individuals who snore should consider laser surgery to try to reduce or eliminate the problem. Consultations with a doctor are necessary to determine is an uvulopalatoplasty is a proper course of treatment for your snoring. According to the Mayo Clinic, half of all adults snore at some point so undergoing minor lifestyle changes may reduce the occurrence of snoring. Among the options include moderate weight loss, specially made pillows and oral appliances. It is also important to remember that any medical procedure will be considerably more expensive than an at-home remedy.