Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Snoring is extremely common: 45 percent of American adults snore occasionally, and 25 percent are habitual snorers. While many consider it a mere nuisance, snoring is actually a sleep disorder that can be the sign of a serious medical condition. What Causes Snoring? When you sleep, your tongue, throat muscles and soft palate relax. If…

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing is interrupted periodically throughout the night. These pauses, or gaps, in breathing may be accompanied by choking or gasping but rarely awaken the sleeping individual. An estimated 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, many of them unaware of their condition. What Causes Sleep Apnea? There are…

Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) therapy is the most commonly prescribed treatment for people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. This sleep disorder affects an estimated 18 million Americans and is characterized by periodic breathing interruptions throughout the night. These pauses, or gaps, in breathing may be accompanied by choking or gasping, but rarely awaken the sleeping…

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic sleep disorder associated with snoring and pauses in breathing. Treatment is essential; doing so will eliminate daytime drowsiness and help prevent a number of potentially serious medical complications including: Heart attack Stroke High blood pressure Diabetes Are There Alternatives to CPAP? While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy…

The Pillar Procedure is a simple surgery designed to treat snoring and sleep apnea. It involves placing polyester implants into the soft palate to offer structural support and reduce tissue vibrations that cause snoring. Who Can Benefit from Pillar Procedure? Habitual snoring affects an estimated 25 percent of Americans. Not only is it a nuisance…

Somnoplasty is a surgical procedure for treating snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. It works by shrinking tissue in the upper airway, including the uvula, soft palate or base of the tongue using radiofrequency energy. This enlarges the throat and nose space, allowing for unobstructed breathing. Somnoplasty is a minimally invasive treatment method that causes less…