Laser, the new treatment for snoring?
Snoring is a problem, a major one, considering that over 30% of divorce cases worldwide has snoring as one of the causes. And that is the reason any new treatment that claims to cure or at least reduce this, becomes the talk of the town. One such latest non-invasive treatment for snoring is touted to be laser.
The science behind the treatment This treatment utilises a specialised laser (fractional erbium yag laser or Er:YAG) to heat the soft palate, uvula, anterior tonsillar pillars and the sides of the tongue, explains dermatologist Dr Abhijit Desai. “The laser heat stimulates collagen in the areas and the result is increased elasticity and tone in the treated tissue. The airway passage is thus widened and snoring is reduced,” he says.
How it works
Treatment with the laser helps to strengthen the structures at the back of the throat -uvula, anterior tonsillar pillars and soft palate, says laser specialist Dr Gauri Desai. She adds, “This reduces the vibration of the structures while breathing during sleep. The result is reduction in snoring.”
Can laser stop snoring completely?
This treatment minimises snoring to a great extent, claim laser specialists. “In some cases, the snoring may also completely stop, depending on the extent of snoring to begin with, and its causes,” says Dr Gauri. However, Dr Kaushal Sheth, consultant ENT and robotic surgeon, says, “Laser treatment is a type of surgical procedure for snoring, but may not be very effective always. It is painful due to the thermal heat damage to surrounding tissues. It may require frequent applications and the pain remains for a long period of time.”
Time taken for treatment
This treatment consists of three sessions, explains Dr Abhijit, adding, “There is a gap of two weeks between the first two sessions and a gap of one month between the second and third sessions.Each session lasts for about 20 minutes.”
How soon can one see the results?
Results may be seen from the first day itself and are enhanced over the period of the entire treatment, says Dr Gauri.However, this will depend again on the causes and extent of snoring at the beginning. Is it safe?
Dr Kaushal says, “This procedure is relatively safer than conventional methods because it can be performed under local anaesthesia and the bleeding is negligible.”
Surgery vs laser
Experts say that around 86% of the population is averse to the idea of curs ing snoring via surgery. Dr Abhijit s says, “Any surgery involves anaesthee sia and some amount of pain. There is also the associated recovery period and downtime. Results are usually seen after the healing of the surgical inci sions. Laser does not involve any anaesthesia as there is no pain. It is a short f procedure and people can go back to ” their routine immediately .” Dr Kaushal adds, “Coblation surgeries for snoring are much better technof logically, as well as safer, with better outcomes than laser surgeries.”
OTHER WAYS TO TREAT SNORING…
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Snoring can be reduced to a great extent by adopting some lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol, having early dinners, sleeping on your side and using higher pillows to deconstrict your throat.
LOSING WEIGHT
If one is obese, reducing weight can help reduce snoring.
NASAL AND THROAT SPRAYS
To help one breathe, there are nasal strips or sprays for the throat that often softens the tissue and help reduce snoring.
YOGA, BEHAVIOURAL THERAPIES
Behavioural therapies also help. There are some yoga asanas that, when practised can be beneficial.
MACHINES AND DENTAL APPLIANCES
There are oral devices that open up the airway and reduce snoring. Certain machines like the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) -this blows air to open the passageway -are also available in the market.
SURGICALLY REMOVING TISSUES AND BLOCKS
One can undergo a surgery to increase the airway size.
RADIOFREQUENCY TREATMENT
This is another new and least invasive treatment that is done under local anaesthesia. An ENT spe cialist administers radiofrequency energy. Around three applications that are six-week apart is needed.
Source: The Times of India
Published: 25 Sep 2014
Category: Features, Technology & Devices
