If you or your partner's snoring has reached crisis point and are you are considering snoring surgery then this article is for you.
In it we will discuss what causes snoring, what types of surgery is available, the cost, and if there any permanent natural cures.
So why do you snore? Snoring is the result the soft palate at the back of your throat vibrating.
What normally happens is your air-ways becomes partially blocked forcing the air though a narrower gap at greater velocity, which then starts the soft palate vibrating.
So why do we snore only at night? At night our muscles around the throat relax and lose their tension, this partial collapse blocks your airways.
Recent research as shown the tongue (which is a muscle) is also a major contributor to the "dreaded snores" stop snoring surgery The most common snoring surgery involves the trimming of the soft palate.
This is performed under local anesthetic.
It is a routine operation performed by a Otolarygologist who are surgeons specializing in the throat mouth and nose.
You will be in and out within day.
However your throat will be sore for a few days and swallowing will be painful for up to a week.
Laser Treatment: LAUP or Laser-Assisted-Uvulopalatoplasty is a new improved method on the traditional form of surgery.
Instead of cutting away the obstructing part the soft palate the removal is performed with a laser which is a lot more accurate.
Radio Frequency Tissue Ablation, also known as Samnoplasty, is a new form of snoring surgery using radio frequency.
This techniques has only recently been approved.
Another form of treatment for snoring is the Tongue Suspension Procedure.
The underside of the tongue and the jaw are attached via a small screw.
This prevents the tongue from falling back during sleep blocking the airway.
The cost of snoring surgery Unfortunately snoring surgery is generally considered to be cosmetic so is rarely covered under insurance polices.
For the basic surgery you will pay upwards of $5000, but this will escalate if you decide to have Laser surgery or Radio Frequency treatment.
Is there a non-surgical solution to snoring There are few temporary solutions you can try including a chinstrap, nose- strips, snoring mouthpiece or sprays.
But, these are only advisable if your snoring is due to a cold or allergy and is not permanent.
Permanent natural snoring solution: The only real natural alternative to snoring surgery is specialized exercises.
These work by strengthening the muscles in the tongue and around the throat keeping your air-passage open.