We provide comprehensive care for individuals suffering from snoring and sleep apnea. Our skilled team offers accurate diagnosis, personalized treatment plans, and advanced interventions to address these conditions. We are dedicated to improving your sleep quality, overall health, and quality of life.
Both children and adults can be habitual snorers. Snoring may be an annoyance to a bed partner but some cases of snoring are caused by underlying conditions that if left untreated can significantly affect quality of life and overall health.
In children, snoring becomes a concern when it happens more than a few times a week and daytime tiredness starts to interfere with school and social activities. Currently, it is estimated that approximately up to 6% of children have obstructive sleep apnea.
In adults, snoring from obstructive sleep apnea is fairly common, affecting almost 22% of adults. Sleep apnea, a condition characterized by brief moments when there is no oxygen coming into the body can significantly affect quality of life and performance issues in adults. Untreated, sleep apnea can lead to elevated blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and motor vehicle or workplace accidents.
Causes of snoring and sleep apnea in children include:
- Oversized tonsils and adenoids
- Deviated septum
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Obesity
Treatment and Procedure Options for Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Treatment for snoring and sleep apnea in kids could involve surgery to remove large tonsils and adenoids that are obstructing the airway. Deviated septums may also be repaired surgically to restore proper airflow through the nose. Some cases of habitual snoring will resolve on their own but when snoring significantly impacts a child’s quality of life and performance, surgery is often considered.
New technology and therapies are continuously being developed for the treatment of habitual snoring and sleep apnea so if you or a loved one suffers from sleep apnea or just frequent, loud snoring, be sure to discuss options with our specialists at ENT Centers of North Texas.
Current treatments include:
Surgery
Surgery can be an option for individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who haven’t responded well to other treatments. One common surgical procedure is uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), which involves removing excess tissue from the throat, including the uvula and part of the soft palate. Other surgical techniques target specific areas of obstruction, such as nasal surgery to correct a deviated septum or remove nasal polyps. However, surgery is typically considered a last resort and is reserved for severe cases or when other treatments have failed.
Sleep Apnea Machines
The continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is one of the first and most common nonsurgical sleep apnea treatments. While you sleep, a CPAP device delivers pressurized air through a tube to a mask worn on the nose and mouth. This pressured airflow helps keep the airways open and prevents episodes of non-breathing (a.k.a. apnea). Others include: BiPAP, APAP, and EPAP.
Hypoglossal nerve stimulator
Inspire is an implantable device that selectively activates the hypoglossal nerve during sleep to prevent airway collapse. This device has shown great promise in resolving moderate to severe sleep apnea for patients who do not tolerate CPAP.
Oral appliances and Implants
Mouth guards and various implantable devices are becoming increasingly effective for mild cases of sleep apnea. Oral appliances, such as mandibular advancement devices (MADs), can reposition the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open.
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol before bedtime, and sleeping on your side, can help reduce snoring and help in mild cases of sleep apnea. Nasal strips or nasal dilators can open up the nasal passages, improving airflow.
At ENT Centers of North Texas, we specialize in diagnosing and treating sleep apnea. Our team of experts utilizes state-of-the-art technology to accurately assess your sleep apnea’s severity and underlying causes. We offer a range of treatment options, and specialize in surgical interventions to help you breathe easier and achieve better sleep quality. Contact us to learn more about how we can help.