According to the National Sleep Foundation, 90 million Americans snore, and
37 million of them snore regularly.
For some, the condition can be temporary, such as if someone imbibed more
alcohol than usual before bed, which can relax the throat muscles, or
congestion that may be caused by illness or higher levels of contaminants in
the air.
In other cases, snoring may be a chronic problem due to anything from
obesity to slight changes in the shape of the mouth and jaw as the body ages.
Snoring in general could cause less alertness during the day and disruptive
sleep patterns, not to mention possible unhappiness from a domestic partner.
For about half of the snorers out there, snoring is actually more than an
inconvenience – it can be a life-threatening condition known as sleep apnea,
which is when the throat is blocked so much by snoring that breathing is
actually obstructed. At best those suffering from sleep apnea can make it
difficult to get extended amounts of sleep, and cause fatigue during the day.
At worst, it could cause a halt in breathing, choking or even death.
Luckily, a variety of solutions are available for people with sleep apnea Novato, ranging from simple mouthpieces that keep the tongue from relaxing to
machines that provide a constant flow of oxygen to surgery. A family doctor or
even a family dentist can provide more information on all of these, since both
professions are familiar with the workings of the mouth.
There are also sleep centers and medical and dental professionals who
specialize in sleep disorders Novato, since getting good sleep is so important to our
lives.
One choice that’s gaining popularity among people suffering from mild to
moderate apnea is called the Pillar Palatal Procedure: it’s a minor surgery
where tiny rods are inserted into the soft palate in the mouth. The implants
help make the palate stiffer, which dampens the vibrations that cause snoring.
The FDA-approved procedure can be done as quickly as 20 minutes and only
requires local anesthetic. Since no tissue is removed, there isn’t any damage
or permanent changes to the mouth that would affect activities like eating or
talking.
People with a sleep disorder Novato who have undergone the Pillar Palatal
Procedure have reported a decrease in their snoring, better responsiveness and
alertness during the day and an 80 percent drop in their sleep apnea.
