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What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed  when loud snoring is interrupted by episodes of completely obstructed breathing.  This condition can be serious and sometime fatal if these episodes are severe.  The cumulative effect of these obstructed breathing episodes is reduced blood oxygen levels to the brain, forcing the snorer to stay in a lighter sleep stage so that the breathing passage muscles are kept tighter.  This prevents the snorer from obtaining the rest benefit achieved only during deep sleep, and can lead to a tendency to fall asleep during daytime hours-on the job, or worse, at the wheel of a car. Another prominent symptom of snoring and sleep apnea is recurrent morning headache.

What is the Laser Treatment of Snoring?

Laser treatment for snoring, also known as LAUP (Laser Assisted UvuloPalatoplasty), is a quick and effective method to treat snoring without significant anesthesia or "down-time."  The patient is treated right in the doctor's office-sitting upright and fully awake in a comfortable chair.  After local anesthesia (Lidocaine) is applied, the laser is used to trim and reshape the soft palate and uvula.  The treatment is essentially painless. Each session takes about ten minutes, and the full treatment is spread over one to five sessions spaced about four weeks apart.

What are the Advantages of Laser Treatment?

The multiple sessions keep the pain down to a mild sore throat for a few days; there is no bleeding with laser treatment.  Eating and speaking are not significantly affected, but a sore throat lasting 7-10 days is common.  Patients go right back to their normal activity after each session. The biggest advantage to treatment with the laser, however, is that it works.  An immediate reduction in snoring is common, with significant improvement usually occurring after the second session. The vast majority of treated patients notice significant reduction or elimination of snoring.

What is Injection Snoreplasty?

Injection Snoreplasty is another in-office method to address sleep apnea and snoring. It involves injection of a small amount of fluid into the soft palate (just above the uvula) that causes the palate to stiffen over time. Treatment and recovery times are similar to that of the laser treatment for snoring. Effectiveness in snoring reduction is also similar.

How Do I know if these Treatments are Right for Me?

The initial consultation with your doctor will include an examination to determine whether laser treatment or injection snoreplasty for snoring is indicated.  Many times, a Sleep Study will be scheduled to determine if severe Sleep Apnea is present, which may require alternative therapies. The procedures are only performed on adults over the age of sixteen.

Will Insurance Cover the Cost of Treatment?

Most insurance carriers do not reimburse for the treatment of snoring in the office, as is the case for cosmetic procedures.  However, in-hospital surgery for the treatment of more severe obstructive sleep apnea is often covered.  Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea must be documented by a sleep study (polysomnography).  You should check with your insurance carrier for information about your specific benefits.