Some
people snore only in certain situations, for example, when they have nasal
congestion and cannot breathe through their mouth (people who breathe
through their mouth are more prone to snore). Likewise, people who have
deviated nasal septums or blocked nasal passages from other causes are
more likely to snore. Sleeping flat on the back or drinking alcoholic
beverages close to bedtime also induces snoring. (Such situations may
induce apneas as well.) A thorough evaluation and sleep study can determine
whether the snoring is associated with apneas and, if so, the severity
of the sleep apnea.
A
relatively new surgical procedure for snoring, typically done in the doctor's
office, is radio frequency tissue ablation (RFTA) with the trade name Somnoplasty.
Like LAUP, more than one session may be needed.
Another surgical system designed to treat snoring (as well as obstructive sleep apnea). Known as the tongue suspension procedure (with the trade name Repose), it is intended to keep the tongue from falling back over the airway during sleep with a small screw inserted into the lower jaw bone and stitches below the tongue. Usually performed in conjunction with other procedures, this surgery is potentially reversible.
Nasal surgery to remove obstructions in the nose or to correct a deviated septum may also be done. These are likely to treat snoring successfully when there is significant blockage in the nose and nowhere else. Other surgeries for snoring include major ones such as that to advance the jaw.
Other Resources for snoring: