Laser Treatment For Snoring – This is How It Works
Laser treatment for snoring has become popular due to the increasing number of people that snore. One of this laser treatment is called Uvulopalatoplasty, commonly known as LAUP. It was first introduce in France in 1990. This treatment for snoring is easy and only takes about one-half hour of your time. Your snoring is usually eliminated or drastically reduced in 80% of the surgeries in only one session. It takes five clinic visits each spaced four to eight weeks apart for the laser surgery for snoring to complete. Some patients might require a second treatment or a series of treatments depending on the severity of their problem. As healing occurs further reduction is noticed.
LAUP uses laser surgery for snoring and mild obstructive sleep apea (OSA) by vaporizing the uvula and a part of the soft palate in a series of non-invasive procedures. Patients undergoing laser surgery for snoring are treated with a local anesthesia in an outpatient operation. Once the anesthesia takes effect, the doctor administers a CO2 laser to make two vertical incisions in the soft palate on each side of the uvula shortening it to eliminate that, which causes the obstruction.
HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY PERIOD?
Most patients are able to get back to their daily routines on the same day although the patients are warned of a sensation similar to that of a sever sore throat that lasts up to ten days after the laser surgery for snoring. This can be relieved by analgesics and anti-inflammatory medicines.
Patients who received LAUP treatment reported 90% improvement in lessening the incidence of snoring and sleap apnea episodes. However, the problem arises in the scarring of the soft tissues of the palate that resulted in more obstruction and worsened OSA after a year or two. Statistics noted that only a third of those treated with the laser surgery for snoring were deemed a success.
SHOULD YOU GET LAUP TREATMENT?
If you’ve tried all possible remedies for snoring and have been unsuccessful, and if your snoring is disruptive to others around you including you, then you could be a candidate. Prior to undergoing laser surgery for snoring, your otoralaryngologist will examine you to evaluate what’s causing you to snore.
Laser surgery for snoring is not widely practiced yet but doctors are considering this treatment if everything else, including the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), fails. These surgical procedures need careful consideration. You will need to really consider if the option will be best for you. Snoring is definitely a serious health problem and should not be thought of lightly. Laser surgery may be your answer your stop snoring solution.
