Laser Surgery for Snoring

Snoring is the result of respiratory structures vibrating while you breathe, due to the restrictions that sleeping can cause for airflow. The irregular airflow can be caused by a number of factors, including a weak throat that closes in on itself during sleep, a misaligned jaw, fat tissue around the throat and obstructive tissue or fluids in the nasal passageway. Snoring is an involuntary act.

Many snorers don’t seek treatment because they are embarrassed about their snoring or because they are unaware that there are solutions to the problem. There are, in fact, a number of treatment options, from simple and temporary (dental appliances) to much more permanent (removal of the tonsils). A treatment option that is quickly gaining popularity is laser surgery.

5 Things You Need to Know

  1. Different studies have produced contradicting results, but it appears that a minimum of 30 percent of adults (and possibly as many as 50 percent) snore. There appears to be an increased susceptibility to snoring as you grow older.
  2. Snoring can cause sleep deprivation both for the snorer and for anyone who hears the snoring. Not getting a good night’s sleep can contribute to a number of serious medical issues, including stress, hypertension, heart disease and stroke.
  3. A popular method of laser treatment for snoring is called laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP). This procedure involves slowly shrinking loose tissue in the mouth and throat. No tissue is actually removed, instead it is scarred and tightened. The procedure can be performed under local anesthetic on an outpatient basis.
  4. For many patients, one laser treatment session is enough. Others have to return for a second session after a few months.
  5. There have been few studies that have proved or disproved the effectiveness of LAUP. The evidence seems to indicate that it does reduce snoring, but also that it actually increases snoring in a small number of patients.

3 Questions You Need to Ask Your Doctor

  1. Is surgery required for me to stop snoring?
  2. Is laser surgery the best surgical option for treating my snoring?
  3. What are the risks involved with laser surgery for snoring?

Also Known As: Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP)

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