ISTANBUL, (DHA) Stating that unhealthy or insufficient sleep can cause many diseases, ear nose throat and head, neck surgery specialist Op. Dr. Yusuf Orhan Uçal noted that problems such as inattention, inability to focus, aggression, discouragement, depression, memory loss can significantly reduce a person’s quality of life.
Emphasizing that the person whose spouse’s snoring is the cause of sleeplessness is worn down nervously and this also negatively affects their blood pressure, Op. Dr. Yusuf Orhan Uçal stated that snoring is a serious problem both for the snoring person and for their spouse next to them.
Uçal said, “Snoring is the sound that occurs due to blockages and narrowings in the upper airways. Problems such as nasal curvature, nasal congestion, sinusitis, hay fever (allergic rhinitis), adenoids, tonsils, uvula, tongue larger than normal, small lower jaw and soft palate sagging cause snoring. In addition, excess weight, namely obesity, is also one of the causes of snoring.”
Sleep Apnea is the Cessation of Breathing During Sleep
Mentioning that snoring, which is perceived as a social problem, can sometimes be a precursor to serious diseases, Op. Dr. Uçal added to his words that cessation of breathing (apnea) due to narrowing in the airway during sleep is one of the most common problems.
Saying that the snoring person is at risk of ‘obstructive sleep apnea’ because they can hold their breath for 10 seconds, Uçal emphasized that sleep apnea can cause very serious problems from high blood pressure to heart attack, from early dementia to sudden death. Underlining that treatment is possible after the cause of snoring is correctly identified, Op. Dr. Yusuf Orhan Uçal drew attention to the fact that upper respiratory tract obstruction can be corrected with medication or surgical intervention if necessary.
“The goal in intervention is to widen the patient’s airways and relieve the airway areas that narrow during sleep. Uvula surgery, tonsil surgery and soft palate radiofrequency are among the most frequently used surgical methods,” said Op. Dr. Uçal, stating that different surgical interventions can be applied in the treatment of mild snoring and sleep apnea syndrome.
Treatment Methods for Snoring
Stating that cartilage curvature can be corrected for quality nasal breathing, nasal turbinates can be reduced, and adenoids can be removed if present, Uçal noted that to improve breathing quality, the uvula can be reduced or suspended to the soft palate, soft palate radiofrequency and tonsil surgeries can also be performed. Op. Dr. Yusuf Orhan Uçal explained that if the complaints are moderate and high level, after obstruction in the airways is detected, jaw and tongue advancement, suspension of the hyoid bone or interventions targeting the tongue base can be performed if necessary.
Emphasizing that snoring will also be treated in patients who undergo rhinoplasty because the blockages in the nose are eliminated, Uçal stated that aesthetic norms as well as the functional function of the nose are taken into consideration in rhinoplasty surgeries, therefore problems of curvature or nasal turbinate enlargement that prevent breathing can also be solved. Uçal drew attention to the fact that when the breathing problem is solved, snoring treatment is also achieved.
Op. Dr. Uçal stated that to support the treatment, snoring people should avoid food and alcohol before going to bed, and said that those with weight problems should definitely make an effort to reach their ideal weight.
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