Some New Treatments For Snoring

There are always new treatments for snoring coming onto the market. In this article, we will take a look at a few of the latest.

Somnoplasty

Somnoplasty is a new treatment for snoring similar to laser surgery, in that it acts to reshape the parts of the throat that lead to snoring. It uses low frequency radio waves to cause lesions to form beneath the mucous lining of the uvula and soft palate. These lesions eventually get reabsorbed into the soft tissue causing it to stiffen. The tissue then vibrates less, meaning that snoring is reduced or eliminated. The treatment is performed in an outpatient setting, and takes around 30 minutes. The only side effect is a slight swelling in the back of the throat, which may actually increase snoring in the short term. The patient is monitored 6 to 8 weeks after the procedure to see if the treatment has stopped snoring successfully. If not, a second somnoplasty may be performed.

Pillar Procedure

Another new treatment for snoring, recently developed by a Minnesota company, is known as the Pillar Procedure. It involves three tiny implants made from woven polyester being inserted into the soft palate. These perform much the same function as the lesions created by somnoplasty, causing the palate to stiffen. It only works in cases where vibrations of the palate are the sole cause of snoring. Where other factors are involved, the patient may require additional treatment to stop snoring. Side effects are confined to minor discomfort for a day or two after surgery, during which time soft foods only are recommended, and hot drinks should be avoided. Occasionally, the implants are rejected by the body. In such cases, they can be removed quickly and painlessly.

Sinus Turbinate Surgery

The final new treatment for snoring that we will look at in this article involves keyhole surgery on the sinuses to treat a blocked nose. Lasers or acid reduce the fleshy ridges at the entrance to the sinuses, known as turbinates, and the lasers can also correct a deviated septum. This is a high-risk procedure, as the turbinates perform a vital function in regulating airflow to the sinuses. Care must be taken not to remove too much tissue, as they are covered in the tiny hairs known as cilia, which help filter out impurities and microbes in the air. A loss of cilia can reduce your protection from airborne diseases such as colds and flu. A good surgeon, however, will ensure that precisely the right amount of the turbinates are removed.