"Esma’s Health Secret Blog"

Snoring is one of the most common sleep problems; neither debilitating nor deadly, it all the same may cause some grave problems which may or may not result from its effects. Most middle-aged men are the victims and there is high risk for obese persons as fleshy necks are most likely to have more muscles that will collapse during relaxed breathing. Snoring roots from narrowed air passage in between the throat and the nose so when we sleep, this passage narrows due to relaxation of the tissues and explains why we only snore when we are in our most restful position.

With a narrowed passage, the pressure of the air from the mouth and back are highly increased and this drives the flapping muscles to vibrate more, which in turn creates the snoring sounds. Anything that helps to narrow the air passage and the muscles to relax will most likely initiate the vibrations. Stopped up noses also limit the amount of air which pass through the air passages resulting in some people having snoring problems that are a consequence of sinus issues.

The position in which the patient sleeps can also affect snoring. Your tongue and throat muscles are pulled back by gravity if you sleep on your back, so it is advised to start sleeping on your side. The repair of excess muscles is usually the best cure to rid the tissues that line the respiratory tract causing you to snore.

Snoring can be associated with ear, nose and throat problems which an otolaryngologist, a specialist in this field, can help diagnosis the cause. For a complete evaluation of the disorder, he is the only person. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty or UPPP is the normal process in which the air passages are enlarged in order to allow air to pass through and stop snoring. This process normally removes excess tissues that cause the narrowing of the throat, including uvula tissue, adenoids, tonsils and those that are covered by the pharynx.

Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty, also known as LAUP, is an intensive therapy which involves removing the muscles that block normal breathing. The methods work better for those that snore mildly, not those suffering from disruptive snoring or sleep apnea. Nasal surgery, on the other hand, is recommended for patients whose snoring is caused by unnecessary blockage in the nasal septum.

Tongue Suspension Procedure is where the tongue can be stitched to a screw in the lower part of the jaw, and the screw can keep it from falling back. Somnoplasty or the shrinking of throat tissue is also a common method method that uses an electrode needle that release energy to shrink the excess tissue. The body will then reabsorb it. Be sure to discuss all concerns of having surgery to fix your floppy throat muscles. This way the proper treatment can be delivered to you.

This entry was posted on Friday, December 12th, 2008 at 9:11 am and is filed under Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.