Laser Treatments for Snoring

Snoring can range from a soft sound to a disturbing noise that can seem as loud as a buzz saw. Although most snorers sleep peacefully through the ruckus, it can be disturbing for their partners. It can also indicate an underlying health problem such as sleep apnea. There are several options for treating snoring. A popular one is laser surgery, an outpatient procedure that can significantly decrease the annoying sound.

Definition

Snoring is a sound that happens when a person is sleeping and breathes in air that goes past relaxed throat tissues. As the air flows by, it makes the tissues vibrate. This leads to harsh, and sometimes very loud, sounds with each breath.

Frequency

According to the Mayo Clinic, snoring is extremely common. It happens to about 50 percent of adults on an occasional basis. For most of them, it isn't frequent or severe enough to interfere with their sleep or that of their partners'.

Causes

Snoring has a wide variety of causes. The Mayo Clinic says that the most common triggers include nasal problems such as a deviated septum, congestion, drinking alcohol too close to bedtime, natural mouth anatomy and sleep apnea.

Risks

Snoring is general harmless. But even though it can be annoying to people sleeping around the snorer, it can cause health risks when it's associated with sleep apnea. When a person has apnea, his throat tissues are actually interfering with his breathing by blocking his airway. In severe cases, he can be deprived of oxygen to the point of waking up and gasping for breath.

Laser Treatment

There are a variety of treatments for snoring, ranging from sleeping on your side to lifestyle changes such as weight loss to surgical options. Laser surgery is a commonly used outpatient procedure that is actually known as laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty, or LAUP. The doctor removes your uvula and shortens the soft palate by using a small, handheld laser unit. Often, it takes more than one session of laser surgery to completely control the patient's snoring. It is most commonly used for people whose snoring is loud enough to disrupt his partner's sleep rather than light or occasional snorers. It is not recommended for those who have sleep apnea, since that is a very specific condition that needs its own type of treatment.