Snoring & Upper Airway Obstruction

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Snoring can cause a variety of mental and physical health issues. Fatigue, drowsiness, irritability, and low energy levels are all factors that can be impacted by snoring. In the most drastic cases, nightly snoring can cause high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Snoring can also have negative impacts on your relationship with your significant other. Research has shown that sleep deprivation can cause couples to feel less appreciative of each other. It can even cause couples to sleep in separate bedrooms.

We are the only practice in the Los Angeles area to combine all types of sleep and sinus specialties into one practice.

CANDIDATES FOR TREATMENT AND SNORING SURGERY

Anyone who has experienced an adverse impact from snoring is a candidate for treatment. Here are a few of the most common anatomical problems that cause snoring:

OBSTRUCTED NASAL AIRWAYS

Nasal airways can become obstructed from a variety of reasons, including deviated septums, weak cartilage above the nostrils, nasal polyps, and large turbinates. All these issues lead to airflow obstruction and snoring. Additionally, chronic sinus infections cause congestion that can make nasal breathing difficult, if not impossible.

LONG SOFT PALATE AND UVULA

A uvula is a ball-like tissue that hangs from the soft palate in the back of your mouth. Turbulent air traveling from the nose can cause the uvula to expand, which narrows the opening from the nose to the throat and causes snoring.

POOR MUSCLE TONE IN THE THROAT AND TONGUE

While you are sleeping, your throat muscles relax and the tongue moves toward the back of the throat. This muscle movement can restrict lung airflow while sleeping. As we age, our muscles begin to relax further, which means a sleep apnea problem that was once mild can become moderate or severe as someone ages.

BULKY THROAT TISSUE

Bulky tissue in the throat is a common cause of snoring problems. This tissue can be caused by both the lingual and palatine tonsils, which are located at the base of the tongue and in the back of the mouth, respectively. Bulky throat tissue can also be caused when an individual is overweight.

BREATHE LOGIC®

Breathe Logic® is our office’s customized approach to alleviating the discomfort and issues that derive from snoring. We integrate the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of each patient’s unique health conditions in order to restore natural breathing patterns.

Treatment Options

Non-invasive Treatments

Snoring Oral Appliances
CPAP Masks

Minimally Invasive Procedures For Obstructed Nasal Airways

Balloon Sinuplasty
Turbinate Reduction
Nasal Valve Implant
Septoplasty

Minimally Invasive Procedures For Long Soft Palate And Uvula

Palatoplasty
Elevoplasty
Uvuloplasty

Minimally Invasive Procedures For Poor Muscle Tone In The Throat And Tongue, Along With Bulky Throat Tissue

Tonsillectomy
Genioglossus Advancement
Orthognathic (Jaw) Surgery

Frequently Asked Questions

Can snoring cause my mood to change?

Sleep deprivation can cause plenty of behavioral changes, including irritability, fatigue, and drowsiness, just to name a few.
How can I tell what is causing my snoring?

Our doctors will use our Breathe Logic® approach to diagnosing and treating your condition to ensure that you can return to your natural breathing rhythm while you sleep.
Are non-invasive options effective?

Each patient has a unique condition, but for some, non-invasive options like snoring mouthpieces or CPAP masks are an easy remedy.

ADDITIONAL READING ON SNORING

SNORING CAUSES AND REMEDIES

Snoring is a common occurrence many people experience as they sleep through the night. While mild snoring is generally harmless, severe snoring can wreak havoc on your physical health, emotional well-being, and your relationships with those who are closest to you.

For these reasons, an increasing number of patients have been turning to professional medical help in order to resolve obstructions in their airways that are leading to severe snoring or sleep apnea.

HOW CAN SNORING OR SLEEP APNEA AFFECT ME?

When patients experience lengthy interruptions of their regular breathing patterns, they are generally considered to be suffering from sleep apnea. As previously mentioned, this level of severe snoring has countless effects on your physical health, including the following:

Low oxygenation levels in the blood, which can lead to constricted blood vessels in the lungs and even pulmonary hypertension
Heart strain (high blood pressure, enlarged heart, and increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke)
Chronic headaches or migraines
Obesity

Severe snoring or sleep apnea can also have the following emotional effects:

Poor sleep quality from constant waking and oxygenation
Daytime sleepiness and chronic fatigue
Irritability from lack of sleep
Increased chance of developing mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety

These issues can also create tension between you and your loved one as the volume of your snoring may prevent them from also getting a good night’s rest, and the irritability you may experience begins to affect your relationship negatively. In the event your significant other is also sleep deprived, whether it be from your breathing problems or his or her own, you are both more likely to be short-tempered and irrational without quality sleep.

WHAT CAUSES MY SLEEP APNEA OR SNORING?

Snoring occurs when your nasal airways become obstructed during your sleep cycle. This can be caused by allergies, chronic or acute sinus infection, deviated septums, or nasal polyps. Poor muscle tone in the throat and tongue or bulky throat tissue can also cause snoring or sleep apnea by putting excess strain on your breathing airway. A long, soft palate or uvula can also be responsible for narrowing the airway between the nose and throat.