Few feelings are more disconcerting than not being able to catch your breath and get the oxygen you need. There are dozens of reasons why this can occur, from sprinting to catch the bus to more serious breathing issues.
Snoring may be related to something as short-term and simple as a cold, but chronic snoring can be an indication that you’re not getting the restful sleep you need. It could be a sign that you have sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder that requires treatment.
In this blog, Dr. Cecil Yeung, a top Houston ear, nose, and throat physician, outlines the best treatment options for snoring.
Snoring can occur when the muscles in the roof of your mouth and the tissues in your throat relax, and your tongue falls backward.
If your airway becomes partially blocked as these parts relax, it can cause the tissues of your throat to vibrate. The narrower your airway is, the louder you’re likely to snore.
Snoring can be a sign that you have sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder. If the narrowed airway that’s causing your snoring becomes completely blocked, it causes your breathing to temporarily stop as you sleep. This process can be repeated hundreds of times a night, depriving your brain and body of needed oxygen.
This can affect your overall health in many different ways and can also increase your risk of developing several chronic health problems.
Sleep apnea can cause the following:
Snoring is treated in several different ways, all with the same goal – keeping your airway open as you sleep.
Lifestyle changes, as well as non-surgical and surgical options, are available to treat snoring, and the most conservative snoring treatment options are tried first.
Snoring treatment options include:
Surgery may be recommended if other snoring treatment options haven’t been effective. In many cases, FESS (functional endoscopic sinus surgery) can be used, which helps reduce your downtime after surgery while providing effective relief.
Surgery can be used for the following, as well for other issues related to sleep apnea:
If you snore, a sleep study may be needed to determine if you have sleep apnea. Schedule an evaluation today with Houston Sinus Surgery at the Yeung Institute. Dr. Yeung has 20 years of experience in diagnosing and treating sleep apnea, and he pioneered the use of the FESS procedure in the Houston area.
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