What treatment options are available?

December 13th, 2016

Oral appliance therapy is one way to effectively manage snoring and sleep apnea and may be used in conjunction with other therapies. Some appliances hold the tongue forward via a suction bulb to open up the air passage. Mandibular repositioning appliances reposition and maintain the lower jaw (mandible) in a protruded position during sleep. Nasal sprays also can provide relief for snorers whose nasal passages are blocked due to swelling or increased mucous. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system delivers pressurized air through a mask that fits over the nose during sleep, keeping the airway open. Therapy may last for several weeks or months and require follow-up visits.

In some cases, surgery may be required to eliminate snoring. Procedures can include any of the following: traditional surgery, outpatient laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) to remove the uvula (not recommended for sleep apnea patients), nasal surgery to remove obstructions in the nose or to correct a deviated septum, and somnoplasty, the removal of part of the soft palate using a low-intensity radio frequency signal.

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