Snoring is not only a social problem; it has lot of medical implications. There are many possible ways to stop snoring. Obviously, avoiding the cause would seem to be the most sensible and reducing weight, stopping smoking; cutting out late meals, alcohol and sleeping pills may be very effective.
If there is a sufficient degree of sleep apnea the use of a CPAP (controlled positive airway pressure) machine may be indicated but it is cumbersome device to live on.. However this involves wearing a mask attached to a compressor for the whole night to keep the airways from collapsing and is often uncomfortable or inconvenient. Also, capital and maintenance costs are fairly high -Rs 75,000-1.25 lakhs approx.Also, there are a great many snorers for whom they don’t work.
These people have to consider surgery as a means to cure.
Laser surgery-LAUP/LAPT
Surgical treatment for snoring has progressed enormously in the past few years with the arrival of the CO2 laser. This has almost entirely replaced the surgical removal with a scalpel of the uvula and a reshaping of the soft palate, the pharynx and often of the tonsils as well. It is now recognized that tonsillectomy will only be helpful if the tonsils are very much enlarged (and almost meeting in the middle of the pharynx). The rest of this brutal and painful procedure has now been replaced with a more refined, limited and much more accurate process using the laser. Tissue is removed by vaporization (the uvula and the adjacent part of the soft palate itself on both sides) and is much less invasive. There is much less bleeding and less pain so that healing takes place more quickly. The operation is done in about fifteen minutes as an office-procedure with only local anesthesia required and the patient can travel home half an hour later. Because of the precision and improved visualization of the operation site about 97% of cases are completed in one go. As the soft palate heals it contracts and tightens, reducing the tissues causing vibrations and enlarging the breathing space. Snoring is improved in about 95% of cases.
This technique has only been in use for several years and results are encouraging
OSA-In patients with more serious obstructive sleep apnea, this is better being done under a General Anesthesia which involves overnight stay in Hospital.
