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Snoring

Snoring is a very common condition particularly amongst men.

Habitual snoring (snoring which occurs almost every night) is found in approximately 20% of the population, 1 in 5 persons. In men it is more common (1 in 4) than in women (1 in 6).

Snoring tends to increase after the age of 30 up to approximately 65 years of age. However, strangely enough, it tends to diminish after 65 years of age.

Factors which predispose to snoring:

• being overweight
• large tonsils
• a small receding chin
• alcohol
• nasal obstruction
• congestion
• sleeping tablets
• sleeping on the back

Does snoring predispose to other medical conditions?

In the majority of cases snoring does not cause ill health. High blood pressure is more common amongst snorers than non-snorers. However, it is not known if snoring actually causes high blood pressure. In some heavy snorers the noise itself can be responsible for recurrent disruption of sleep and causes unrefreshed sleep.

Treatment for snoring: because snoring is hardly responsible for ill health a person may decide to do nothing about it. Weight reduction, avoidance of alcohol in the hours before going to bed are steps which can help in reducing snoring.

Alternatively a surgical treatment for snoring can be undertaken. It is important to understand that surgery is treatment for snoring and not for sleep apnoea. In our unit surgery is considered an option for the "noise making" not for the stopping breathing as occurs in sleep apnoea.

There are three techniques at present which are widely used by ENT surgeons. These have complex names:

1. "Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty" which is often shortened to UPPP and laser uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is a technique which requires a general anaesthetic and a few days in hospital. The surgeon removes the tonsils, if present, and reshapes the palate reducing the amount of redundant tissue in the throat.

2. "Laser Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty" is often referred to as "laser treatment" is usually performed under general anaesthetic, and is a same day procedure. A strip of soft palate is treated with a laser beam which causes inflammation and scarring. This usually results in the stiffening of the floppy part of the throat which brings about a reduction in snoring. The "laser treatment" is somewhat painful for a few days after treatment.

3. Somnoplasty: Under local anesthesia, a localised burning is applied to the soft palate. It can be repeated many times until the desired effect is achieved.

The patients, however, need be aware that there is a small risk that the treatment will not be successful and also that as times passes by there may be a recurrence of snoring after treatment. As far as the "laser treatment" is concerned, the technique is relatively recent and long term side effects of the treatment are not well established