More than one-third of adults snore and the problem is worse with overweight people.

Snoring - Basics

Snoring is the sound of obstructed breathing during sleep. While snoring can be harmless (benign snoring), it can also be the sign of a more serious medical condition that progresses from upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Normal Breathing

When you breathe normally, air passes through the nose
and past the flexible structures in the back of the throat such
as the soft palate, uvula, and tongue. While you are awake,
muscles hold the airway open. When you fall asleep, these
muscles relax, but normally, the airway stays open.

What Causes Snoring

Snoring occurs when the structures in the throat are large and when the muscles relax enough to cause the airway to narrow and partially obstruct the flow of air. As air tries to passes through these obstructions, the throat structures vibrate, causing the sound we know as snoring. Large tonsils, a long soft palate and uvula and excess fat deposits contribute to soft tissue narrowing.

Snoring can get worse when the muscles in the back of the throat are too relaxed, either from drugs that induce sleep or alcohol consumption.

Snoring can also be caused by:

• a large uvula and soft palate
• nasal congestion
• a deviated septum
• or other obstructions in the nasal and pharyngeal airways.

In Children snoring can be caused by:

• large tonsils
• adenoids
• small or retruded lower jaw
• Learn more about sleep problems in children.

In Pregnant Women snoring can be caused by:

• narrowing of the airway
• increased weight.
• Learn more about sleep problems in pregnancy.

Can Snoring Be Serious?

Snoring can be serious both socially and medically. Snoring can disrupt marriages and cause sleepless nights for bed partners.

Medically, snoring can be the precursor of obstructive sleep apnea, which has been linked to heart failure, high blood pressure, and stroke.

Snoring has also been linked to Type 2 diabetes.

You may not be aware of your snoring but your bed partner is!

Seeking professional advice can help you because snoring not only causes disruption in sleep, it can also be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea.

If your child snores, speak to your pediatrician about the problem. Nose and throat problems as well as obesity may be the causes. Treating these conditions could help your child sleep better at night and help your child's mental and physical development to stay on track. Learn more about sleep problems in children.

Severity of Snoring

Snoring is often graded from your bed partner's point of view:

• Grade 1: Heard only if you listen close to the face
• Grade 2: Heard in the bedroom
• Grade 3: Heard just outside the bedroom with the door open
• Grade 4: Heard outside the bedroom with the door closed

Complications of Snoring

Snoring may be more than a nuisance. Snoring is associated with an increased rate of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke. In children, snoring is associated with an increased rateof attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Learn more

To Prevent or Lessen Snoring, Try This:

• Lose weight if you are overweight. Being overweight is the most likely cause of snoring.
• Sleep on your side, not on your back. Sewing a tennis ball in the back of a T-shirt can remind you not to sleep on your back.
• See a physician if you have chronic nasal congestion or obstruction.
• Avoid drinking alcohol before you go to bed -- alcohol and sedatives can relax the muscles in the back of the throat and lead to snoring. In addition, they can increase the duration of apneic events by dulling your brain's activity that signals you to awaken and restart breathing.

The Pillar^® Procedure.

A minimally invasive treatment for snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

The Pillar^® Procedure is a minimally invasive treatment option for both snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea originating from the soft palate. This procedure is office-based, requiring only a local anesthetic. During the Pillar Procedure, tiny implants are placed into the muscle of the soft palate is designed to reduce the palate’s tendency to flutter during sleep and/or block the airway. 

The Pillar Procedure takes about fifteen minutes to perform.  This procedure is associated with minimal discomfort, and most patients return to work the same or following day. Dr. Pecenka and Dr. Herald will be happy to refer you to several surgeons who can perform the procedure.  

Visit www.pillarimplant.com for more information about the Pillar Procedure for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.