Snoring Surgery

Snoring is the sound produced by the vibration of the soft tissue during the passage of air from the upper respiratory tract through the throat area. During sleep, the area where the base of the tongue, palate and uvula meets the throat narrows a little. The intensity of the sound that occurs when breathing due to the narrowing of the airway differs depending on how narrow the airway is. About 45% of adults snore occasionally and 25% snore constantly. Severe snoring occurs in approximately 5% of people who snore. The incidence of snoring in childhood is around 12%.

While snoring may increase with the effect of existing infectious diseases, the severity of snoring increases in parallel with sleep position, age and weight. The complaint of snoring, known as simple snoring, which does not cause respiratory interruption or interruption of sleep, does not cause any harm to the person. However, this may cause the sleep of the people living together at home to be divided or the sleep quality to decrease. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, on the other hand, is an important disorder that accompanies snoring and causes short-term cessation of breathing. Sometimes repetitive cessation of breathing tens or even hundreds of times a night can lead to many health problems. Therefore, the accompanying symptoms are important rather than the intensity of the sound produced during snoring. Before giving information about snoring treatment, it is necessary to understand what snoring is.

What Causes Snoring?

Although snoring is mostly seen depending on the position, fatigue, insomnia, cigarette and alcohol consumption, existing infectious diseases and drugs used also cause snoring of people who do not snore; It also causes snorers to snore more intensely. During sleep, the soft tissue in the nasal region relaxes a little. Due to this relaxation, breathing becomes difficult. The turbulence created by the air flow in this region causes the soft tissues to vibrate. This vibration creates the sound defined as snoring. A person who cannot get enough oxygen or tries to get enough oxygen because of snoring wakes up in the morning tired, sluggish and sleepless. However, since the person is not aware that he is snoring, he does not suspect this situation. This situation, which is defined as simple snoring, is learned only if other people are disturbed by the sound of snoring.

How to Treat Snoring?

This type of snoring, which does not cause respiratory interruption during sleep, can be prevented by changing the sleeping position, sleeping on a higher pillow, losing excess weight, consuming light foods, quitting alcohol and smoking, and using a nasal strip. This is the simplest answer that can be given to the question of how snoring goes. However, if the severity of snoring does not decrease despite all these, the person should consult an otolaryngologist.

As a result of the examination and additional tests performed by the physician, the factors causing snoring are determined and appropriate treatment is arranged. In some cases, the use of intraoral instruments with a multidisciplinary approach may be recommended. An intraoral instrument is a type of prosthesis that is specially made by dentists and is attached to the mouth before sleep, preventing the tongue from moving backwards and increasing the oral cavity. Another treatment method is surgery. However, before the operation due to simple snoring, the person should be hospitalized in the sleep laboratory and his sleep should be examined. In some cases, snoring may occur as a symptom rather than a discomfort. Although this disorder, called obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, is seen at a rate of 3% worldwide, this rate increases up to 50% in overweight men over the age of 50. When sleep apnea is not treated, the heart and brain vessels are affected. It can lead to ailments such as sexual reluctance, migraine, high blood pressure, as well as a heart attack.