Forty-five percent of normal adults snore at least occasionally, and 25 percent are habitual snorers. Problem snoring is more frequent in males and overweight persons, and it usually grows worse with age.

What causes snoring?

Snoring occurs when floppy tissue in the airway relaxes during sleep and vibrates. Most snoring is caused by an enlarged soft palate and uvula at the back of the mouth, although the tongue, tonsils, adenoids and congested nasal passages can also contribute to the sound.

Is snoring serious?

Snoring alone is a social problem and generally does not cause other medical problems. It can be serious when it makes the snorer an object of ridicule and causes others sleepless nights and resentfulness. Snoring can also disturb sleep patterns and deprive the snorer of appropriate rest. When snoring is severe, it can be associated with long-term health problems, including obstructive sleep apnea.

How can heaving snoring be treated?

Non-surgical approaches include weight loss and other lifestyle modifications or the use of an oral appliance to reposition the jaw.

A variety of surgical treatments are also available to reduce excess tissue and stiffen the tissues of the soft palate and uvula. Surgical options included cautery-assisted palatoplasty, coblation of the soft palate, radio frequency soft palate reduction (somnoplasty), and the Pillar procedure in which a small implant is surgically inserted to stiffen the soft palate.

These procedures take place in the physicianÕs office under local anesthesia and typically take less than thirty minutes. Depending on the level of snoring, procedures may need to be repeated. The PENTA physicians perform these procedures in the Winston-Salem office. A chronically snoring child should be examined for problems with his or her tonsils and adenoids. A tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy may be required to return the child to full health. Please call the office for more information click here for our Office Locations