Snoring: a treatment that will make noise

Some radio waves at the bottom of the palace, and now, miraculously, your partner could silence. Dream or reality proposed by U.S. researchers on the silence of snorers? Actually believes the FDA (U.S. Department of Health), which has just approved a new technique: the somnoplasty. Detailed review.

Snoring occurs during muscle relaxation caused by sleep. This relaxation narrows the passage in the pharynx. Also, the air passing through it causes there a sound vibration in the soft palate and uvula. This narrowing is in 40% of adults, especially men. A well-known phenomenon of their partners who often difficult nights ...

1. In a phenomenon common to the hazard ...

This hum, if it represents a noise, is a benign affair. Yet it may be complicated by symptoms much more dangerous sleep apnea (a kind of breathing pauses for more than 10 seconds). They cause micro-awakenings that disrupt sleep and cause the person to excessive sleepiness during the day associated with fatigue, irritability and concentration problems. This is why experts believe that the risk of car accident are much greater in subjects apneic. Another aspect of complications, the cardiorespiratory system: the reduction of oxygen can lead to the longer term, a high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms and even angina. In such situations, and if you do, do not hesitate to consult.

2. A new hope: the somnoplasty

The frequency of snoring subjects as the gravity of certain situations certainly justify that many researchers are currently studying this phenomenon. Some are exploring other avenues of research rather surprising, as the technique, called somnoplasty, in which the throat is bombarded with radio waves (radio frequency).

This method has convinced the Ministry of Health (FDA) has just allow it. This is to create small lesions in the muscles of the soft palate with an electrode carrying radiofrequency waves. These lesions, order thermal cause, by healing, muscle contraction. Thus, they reduce the volume of the soft palate tissue and fibrosis, which generate the rigid and lose its flaccidity. Technically, it suffices to three lesions, one on the center line, two more laterally in the soft palate. "The local application takes about 5 minutes. Somnoplasty has the advantage compared to surgery, to be less invasive (no surgical removal), to be a little less painful and especially to be performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, "said Dr. Joel Depondt. Although the decline is still insufficient, the results of the somnoplasty look promising.

3. Conventional treatments

For Dr. Joel Depondt, ENT surgeon at the Bichat Hospital, "the improvement of problems due to snoring (snoring medical term meaning) begins with simple advice:

• Weight loss for overweight patients;


• Abstention from tobacco, alcoholic beverages, tranquilizers and sleeping pills;


• Adapted from a position on the side while sleeping (not back). "

In case of sleep apnea, your doctor may advise the placement of orthodontic appliances. Dr. Joel Depondt, also recognizes "that besides the somnoplasty, surgical treatment is still frequently practiced." The surgery is intended to limit the rocking back of the base of the tongue obstructing the pharynx during sleep. It is to remove any excess soft palate and uvula. It is possibly associated with the removal of the tonsils, often large and obstructive. It is an act performed under general anesthesia, minimally invasive, but often with postoperative pain. There is an equivalent of this technique: the laser. It is performed under local anesthesia, but the consequences can be painful.

The treatment most popular is the positive airway pressure (CPAP). It has revolutionized the treatment of apnea. This is a device that keeps the airway open during sleep. Its principle is to wear a mask connected to a compressor that blows air into the nose and throat during sleep. This treatment puts an end to snoring and apnea and provides a much better sleep on buzzer.

Of course, all these interventions depend on the size of the anomalies detected during the medical evaluation and radiological. The somnoplasty, thanks to its efficiency and relative simplicity, may well emerge as the essential technique against snoring. A method that will allow the physician as to ex-snorers to sleep on both ears!

For more information on cpap side effects dry mouth, view the CPAP blog.