Surgery Options to Reduce Snoring
Snoring is a common problem that impacts millions of people. It can disrupt a person’s sleep or disturb their partner. It sometimes points to a more serious condition, such as sleep apnea, as well. There are many ways to treat snoring, including lifestyle changes, oral appliances, and CPAP machines. In some cases, surgery may be necessary. If you are struggling with ongoing snoring and other treatments have not worked, read on to learn more about surgery options that may help.
Why Would Someone Need Surgery for Snoring?
Surgery for snoring is usually only considered when snoring is caused by a physical blockage in the airway. This may include a crooked septum, enlarged tonsils, excess tissue in the throat, or the tongue falling backward during sleep. Before recommending surgery, a doctor will likely examine your nose and throat to determine where the blockage is located. A sleep study may also be recommended to find out whether the snoring is connected to obstructive sleep apnea.
Surgery is not the right choice for everyone and is usually a later option if other remedies are not possible or have not worked. Many people are first encouraged to try less invasive treatments such as losing weight, changing sleep positions, using a dental appliance, or wearing a CPAP machine.
What Surgery Options Are Available?
There are several procedures that may reduce snoring. The right procedure will depend on the cause of the airway blockage.
- Septoplasty is used when a crooked septum limits airflow through the nose. During this procedure, the surgeon straightens the wall that separates the nasal passages. This can make nasal breathing easier and reduce mouth breathing at night.
- Turbinate reduction may also be performed when swollen tissue inside the nose blocks airflow. The procedure reduces the size of the turbinates while allowing them to continue warming and filtering the air.
- A tonsillectomy removes enlarged tonsils that are narrowing the throat. This procedure is especially common in children with snoring or sleep apnea, but it may also help adults with large tonsils.
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, also called UPPP, removes or reshapes tissue in the back of the mouth and throat. The goal is to create more space for air to move. Recovery can be uncomfortable, so this surgery is usually only recommended when the soft palate or throat tissue is a major part of the problem.
- Some people qualify for upper airway stimulation. This treatment uses a small, implanted device that sends a mild signal to the nerve controlling the tongue. The signal helps move the tongue forward during sleep, so it does not block the airway.
- Jaw surgery may also be considered in more severe cases. This procedure moves the upper and lower jaws forward to create more room behind the tongue. It is a larger surgery and is generally used for obstructive sleep apnea rather than simple snoring.
What Is the Bottom Line?
The bottom line is that surgery may help reduce snoring when the problem is caused by a physical blockage, but it is often a later option used only when less invasive options are not available. The right procedure depends on where the airway is narrowing and whether sleep apnea is present. If your snoring is ongoing or is accompanied by gasping, choking, or daytime tiredness, speak with your doctor. They can evaluate you and help determine whether surgery or another treatment is right for you.
Related Article: Do Dental Appliances work for Snoring?