Snoring Hospital
Snoring isn’t just a nuisance, it may be a warning sign of sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea. The disorder stops people from getting enough oxygen during sleep and can cause heart problems, stroke, high blood pressure, and depression. The good news is that snoring can be treated with non-invasive medical treatments and sometimes surgery, says Colin Huntley, MD, otolaryngologist at Weill Cornell Medicine. 코골이 치료
The first step in diagnosing snoring is for the doctor to take a thorough patient history, including that of the bed partner where possible, and perform a physical examination. A specialized sleep study can also be used to diagnose the cause of the snoring in certain cases.
People who snore are more likely to be overweight or have a narrow airway, which can lead to obstructive sleep apnea. They may also be taking medications that relax the throat muscles or drink alcohol before they go to sleep. Certain birth defects or nasal or sinus problems, such as a deviated septum or chronic congestion, can cause snoring. Age and being male are also risk factors.
If snoring is causing distress for the person doing the snoring, such as poor performance at work or arguments with their spouse, it’s important to get checked out. People with snoring are at higher risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, and snoring can also increase the likelihood of a car accident or work-related injury.
In addition to lifestyle changes, the doctor can prescribe a medication that helps with snoring or a snoring device that attaches to the person’s mouth. There are also minimally invasive surgical procedures that can be performed on the base of the tongue and palatine tonsils to reduce snoring.
In severe cases, the doctor can suggest a CPAP machine, which uses a mask over the face and mouth to help improve breathing during sleep. This is usually the most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, but can be difficult to get used to at first. Patients who do not respond to a CPAP device or don’t want to use it, can often find relief with oral appliances that push the tongue and lower jaw forward during sleep to open the airway.
They can be made from plastic or acrylic and are available from most otolaryngologists. Other options include removing the tonsils in adults and, in children, reducing their size to prevent snoring or nasal obstruction. In some cases, a simple steroid injection can reduce snoring. In rare cases, snoring can be caused by the presence of cancerous tumors or other diseases that require further evaluation and treatment. http://www.yonseiroclinic.com/