Snoring Laser Surgery Treament

Advice and Information about Laser Surgery for snoring

Snoring:How big a Problem?

Did you know that some estimates put the number of loud snorers in the world at over 700 million? Often snoring is the subject of humour but for those who suffer from loud regular snoring and their partners the subject can be far from a joke.

Snoring: Any magic cures?

There is no one magic cure for snoring and what works for some people may not work for others. Often snorers who have tried other available methods resort to surgery as a last resort.

Snoring: non-surgical treatments

Some snorers have success with medications to ease the problem while others find that mechanical devices help their problem. These mechanical devices come in a range of forms such as breathing masks, dental devices, various mouth pieces and even electric shock buzzers that wake the snorer up when they start.

Complaints from Snorers partners

Many snorers are blissfully unaware of their problem and it is only the complaints from their partners that causes concern and often friction. If you are such a snorer you may not really understand how difficult it can be sleeping next to a rip-saw all night!

Snoring health problems

Relationship problems are not the only issue with snoring though. Snorers often have poor sleep patterns and there is some evidence that this in itself may cause health problems. Those with Sleep Apnea may even be fatally at risk. So if you are a bad snorer then you will be wise to discuss the matter with your doctor and see what he can recommend to help you stop snoring.

Snoring Laser Surgery treatment

If other methods fail then your doctor may advise that you consider laser surgery for snoring. Your doctor should be able to advise of all the issues involved and explain the different types of treatment.

One method, called Laser-assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) tends to be the cheaper. This form of laser surgery for snoring works by trimming the uvula through laser techniques. The procedure does not usually take long and can be over in as little as ten minutes. A local anaesthetic is used for the treatment and it is therefore done while the patient is seated upright and conscious. Around three to five visits may be required as a course for this method of laser surgery for snoring and the treatements would usually be around one month apart.

Another method of laser surgery for snoring is called Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). The aim of this treatment is to enlarge the throat adjacent to the tonsils. This method of laser surgery for snoring will usually involve removing the tonsils and some parts of the soft palate and uvula. This is a much more expensive method and is done in a surgery operating room with the patient under general anesthesia.

Snoring Laser Treament Surgery costs

With treatment costs anywhere up from $2000 to $3000 plus, the decision to have laser snoring surgery is not one to be taken lightly and it is importan that the patient has a full medical consultation before opting for such snoring surgery.

Is it worth considering laser treatment for snoring then? Well the results can certainly be good as with both methods the root cause of the problem which often lies in the fleshy inner rear parts of the mouth are dealt with. It is not absolutely guaranteed though. At the end of the day a patient can only choose whether to have such elective surgery based on how bad they feel their problem is and how much money they are prepared to spend to resolve the problem.