Snoring

Did you know that there's actually a surgery you can have that can greatly reduce your snoring?  It's called somnoplasty and it's very effective for most patients who try it.  But what is involved in this procedure and how does it work?

A somnoplasty is a simple procedure that cuts away excessive tissue on the soft palate, which is the roof of the mouth near the back of the throat.  When there is too much tissue in this area it can collapse into the area of the throat, cutting off this airway.  A person can then begin to snort, gasp, choke, and wheeze as they try to breath properly.  While it might seem somewhat traumatic to have this tissue cut away, a somnoplasty is actually very simple and typically painless.  Most doctors today use a laser rather than an actual scalpel as a laser is more accurate and typically means less bleeding.  The laser stops the bleeding as it's being used, and there usually isn't much tissue that needs to be cut away in this type of procedure. 

The majority of patients that undergo a somnoplasty procedure typically need just a day off from work and to eat soft foods for up to a week, but other than that they usually have no other side effects or considerations.  Once the area is completely healed they can resume their normal diet and typically report no problems with speech or breathing.  And usually it's very effective for snoring!  A somnoplasty can be just the relief that a snorer needs and considering how snoring interrupts a person's sleep - and the sleep of those around him or her as well - it's obviously worth considering as an option.

Of course a somnoplasty won't cure all cases of snoring but your doctor can and will tell you if it's recommended in your case.  He or she will perform a thorough exam of your mouth and throat to see if there is excessive fatty tissue in this area and can tell you if a somnoplasty will help in your case.  If not, there are many other recommended treatment options for snoring which he or she can probably share with you.  Snoring is more than a minor inconvenience; it can interfere with your health overall and so it's recommended that you speak to your doctor about all your options for addressing it.