Partial Respiratory Obstruction and Snoring Treatment Options
Snoring, often the audible result of a partial respiratory obstruction during sleep, can lead to serious health issues if left untreated. One such condition is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where the patient experiences periods of stopped breathing. If breathing is not resumed, this can have severe implications. So, what are your snoring treatment options?
Four factors contribute to snoring, two of which can be corrected through surgery. It’s crucial to understand the potential dangers of untreated snoring and take proactive steps to address it.
Uvula
The size of the uvula is a significant contributor to snoring. The uvula is the hanging pink structure at the end of the soft palate at the back of the throat. Like the appendix, it serves no useful purpose. If it becomes too large, it will obstruct breathing. Snoring occurs as the uvula flutters back and forth as you breathe.
Surgical reduction of the uvula may eliminate snoring and will reduce it, even if you have other factors contributing to your snoring. This operation is called a uvulopalatoplasty.
Nasal Turbinates
Nasal turbinates are structures that protrude into each nasal cavity on either side of the nasal septum to increase the internal surface area. These structures serve to control air temperature before the air enters the lungs. They also humidify and help to clean the air you breathe. They are the body’s efficient air conditioners.
If a turbinate grows too large, it can cause airway obstruction and snoring. Fortunately, we can surgically reduce the size of the turbinates at the narrowest part of the nasal airway and alleviate the obstruction without compromising the normal beneficial function of the turbinate.
Neck Size
Excessive neck size will reduce airflow and cause partial respiratory obstruction and snoring. This is based on the amount of fat compressing the normal airway. Any patient with a neck shirt size of 17 or greater is a likely candidate for snoring. The solution is weight loss.
Although there are surgical procedures for weight loss, the patient is better served getting on a reliable weight loss program. Being overweight not only reduces the airway but can cause other issues, such as:
- A burden on the heart.
- High blood pressure.
- Type-2 diabetes.
- Snoring.
- And myriad other issues.
Diet and exercise are the best solutions to weight-related snoring.
Tongue Size
If the tongue is too large, it can cause partial airway obstruction and snoring. Unfortunately, this is one cause of snoring that doesn’t have a good cure. Tongue function is essential for life, and a reliable operation for tongue reduction to reduce snoring does not exist. If your tongue size is the issue, the best solution is a C-PAP machine.
At Fairbanks Plastic Surgery, our experienced surgeons specialize in snoring treatment options through uvula reduction and nasal turbinate surgery. If these are the causes of your snoring, we can provide the help you need. These are the two most common causes of snoring, and our team is here to guide you. If you’re dealing with a snoring problem, don’t hesitate to call our office for an appointment and come in for an examination. You’re not alone in this, and we’re here to help.
Related links:
- Nasal Airway Surgery.
- Rhinoplasty.
- Secondary Rhinoplasty for Correction of Deformities and Airway Obstruction.
For more information on snoring issues, please visit these links:
- Is snoring always a sign of sleep apnea (Harvard Health Publishing)?
- Snored to death: The symptoms and dangers of untreated sleep apnea (Harvard Health Publishing).
- Snoring, Sleeping Disorders, and Sleep Apnea (McGovern Medical School).