More and more people with snoring problems are opting for laser surgery to cure their snoring problem. The laser surgery, called laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP), has already been existed since 1993. Survey shows that 70% of the patients experience positive results from the laser treatment. Most of them are completely cured and do not have any re-occurrence of the snoring problem. The rest experience tremendous recovery with their snoring problem nearly eliminated.
LAUP is best for patients that suffer from a condition called sleep apnea where there is a loud breathing in between each breathing. Sleep apnea can reduce the level of oxygen that enter into your air way which can be fatal when there is a lack of oxygen in the vital organs such as heart.
LAUP is safe to be carried out in an adult and it can be carried out in the doctor’s office with the use of a local anesthetic. If the procedure is being carried out in the theater, the patient will be administered a general anesthesia. The patient that is being treated will be fully conscious during the entire period of the treatment.
The doctor will use the CO2 laser to reshape the excessive tissue at the back of the mouth. A special lens system will be used to focus the laser light on the treated area. The doctor will utilize a small probe to heat up the tissue underneath at a temperature of about 80 degrees centigrade. Snoring is a vibration sound that happen as a result of the loose tissue in the airway. The snoring sound will become louder when the airway gets narrower. The process will create a scar that will stiffen the inner tissues in the underneath the soft palate. When the treated area is stiffened, it will be harder for the tissue to move.
The patient usually only have to undergo one session to achieve the desired results and each session will last for 10 – 15 minutes. Sometimes, the patient will have to undergo the treatment for a second time and this will take place about 6 – 12 weeks after the first session. After the laser treatment, your snoring problem will gradually improve over a course of 4 – 16 weeks. During this period, the muscles will start to recover and become tightened so that it won’t sag like before.
The laser treatment does not cause any significant painful side effects because the area that is being treated is located in an area beneath the surface where there are lesser nerves. The only side effect is just a slight sore throat which can be treated easily with an ordinary sore throat medicine. The sore throat can last for 1 – 2 weeks.
Normally, the laser treatment for snoring is performed in the evening after the patient has finished work. You will have to first seek snoring advice with a specialist to see whether the anti-snoring laser treatment will be helpful to you. They will have you undergo several tests to confirm that the laser treatment is suitable for you.
In conclusion, you can opt to undergo a laser treatment for snoring if you are desperate to put your snoring problem to an end. It is important to only see a certified doctor who is trained to administer the laser. The clinic which you decide to go for the anti-snoring laser treatment must be equipped with well trained staff.