Snoring

Snoring is an extremely common sleeing disorder particularly seen in middle-aged men. This can be considered a "social disease", that is, it is usually limited annoying one's bed partner (and sometimes people down the hall or on other floors!). However, extreme vigilance must be taken to differentiate this from obstructive sleep apnea, a dangerous medical disease that can threaten one's health and safety.

Snoring is caused when there is narrowing of the normal airway. Because of a phenomenon known as the "Bernoulli Effect", air flows faster through a narrowed passage similar to how water sprays faster and farther when you put your finger on the tip of a garden hose. This faster flow of air causes high frequency vibrations of the soft tissue of the airway resulting in the characteristic sounds of snoring. Different patterns and sounds of snoring can occur if the obstruction is located in the nose or in the back of the throat.

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when there is an actual obstruction of airflow and no air enters the lungs. This usually occurs during deep sleep due to relaxation of the muscles of the throat that keep the airway open during the day. The body sense the inability to breathe and tries to open the airway by bringing the brain out of deep sleep to restore muscle tone and the airway (gasping and frequent arousals at night). Given the choice between deep, restful sleep and oxygen, the body chooses oxygen. The resultant disruption and lack of deep, restful sleep results in the brain craving sleep during the day (feeling tired or even falling asleep during quite periods).

If obstructive sleep apnea has been ruled out based on history, examination and testing by Dr. Sinha, there are options for treatment.

First, of all, lifestyle changes such as weight loss, avoidance of sleeping on the back and avoidance of sedatives in the evening (including alcohol, sedating antihistamines and sleep aids) are recommended. Sometimes, oral applicances may help. If these procedures do not work, then a simple office procedure may be recommended.

Coblation-Channeling is a new specialized procedure performed in the office with local anesthesia and takes only about 5 minutes to perform. A specialized wand is inserted into the palate (roof of mouth) that creates a thermal lesion that, when healed, decreased the size of the palate and stiffens the floppy tissue that collapses into the airway during sleep and causes snoring. Occasionally, repeat procedures may be necessary. Dr. Sinha may apply this same technology to shrink the turbinates in the nose (strutures in the nose the help to warm and humidify the air we breathe) to improve nasal snoring.

The procedure is an advance from the first generation procedure known as somnoplasty in that it takes less time to perform and utilizes a safer method of delivering energy in Dr. Sinha's opinion.