Table of Contents
What is Snoring?
Snoring can be defined as the sound that occurs when air passes through the respiratory tract during sleep, creating a series of vibrations in the body. This sound is usually caused by the stretching of the soft tissues in the throat, tongue, palate and throat. Snoring occurs when airflow in this area is blocked or narrowed during sleep. These sounds can sometimes be light and harmless, while at other times they can be stronger and more disturbing. Snoring can negatively affect a person’s sleep quality and can also disturb those around them. In addition, severe snoring can be a symptom of more serious health problems such as sleep apnea. The problems caused by snoring usually negatively affect quality of life and therefore may need to be treated.
What Causes Snoring?
Snoring can occur for many different reasons. It usually occurs as a result of vibration of the soft tissues in the throat due to narrowing or obstruction in the airways. These narrowings can be caused by factors such as the tongue shifting backwards, the palate sagging, and adenoids. Snoring can also be affected by external factors such as weight gain, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, sleeping position, and nasal congestion. In overweight individuals, more fat accumulation in the neck can narrow the airways and increase snoring. In addition, alcohol consumption can cause the airways to narrow by relaxing the muscles. Smoking can irritate the airways and cause snoring. Sleep position is also important; people who sleep on their backs are more likely to have their tongues shift back, which can trigger snoring. Nasal congestion, especially due to allergic reactions or colds, can also increase snoring by blocking airflow. Other health problems include sleep apnea, genetic factors, and age-related changes.
How to Stop Snoring?
In the treatment of snoring, it is important to first determine the factors that cause snoring. Mild snoring can usually be corrected with lifestyle changes. The first step is to establish a healthy sleep pattern and change sleeping positions. Instead of sleeping on your back, sleeping on your side can reduce snoring because the tongue is less likely to slide back in the side position. In addition, alcohol and cigarette consumption should be reduced or completely stopped, as these substances can narrow the airways and increase snoring. Regular exercise and reaching a healthy weight play an important role in reducing snoring. In cases of snoring due to nasal congestion, using nasal sprays or humidifiers can be helpful. In addition, clearing your nose before going to sleep can reduce snoring. If snoring is associated with a more serious condition such as sleep apnea, medical intervention may be necessary. In cases where snoring is severe and affects quality of life, it is recommended to consult a sleep specialist.
How is Snoring Surgically Treated?
Surgical treatment is necessary for cases where the snoring problem is more advanced and seriously affects the quality of life. Surgical treatment is usually applied to correct the narrowing of the airways and prevent snoring. Surgical treatment of snoring can be done with different methods. One of the most commonly used surgical treatment methods is a procedure generally known as “uvulopalatopharyngoplasty” (UPPP). This procedure involves surgically removing the soft tissues at the base of the palate, throat and tongue and reduces snoring by opening the airways. Another surgical method aims to prevent the tongue from sliding back with a small stitch made at the back of the tongue. In patients with sleep apnea, more specific surgical interventions can be performed, such as tightening the muscles and tissues in the throat. In some cases, nasal surgeries can also be performed to eliminate blockages in the nasal area. Before deciding on surgical treatment, the cause of snoring must be correctly diagnosed. Surgery is usually preferred in cases where other treatment methods are not sufficient and snoring seriously affects the quality of life. After surgical treatment, the recovery period of patients can take several weeks and it is necessary to follow the doctor’s recommendations.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing stops or is slower than normal during sleep. This usually occurs due to temporary blockage of the airways during sleep. Sleep apnea causes breathing to stop or decrease more than once during sleep. Each blockage can last for a few seconds, but if it exceeds this period, sleep apnea can become a more serious health problem. Sleep apnea is usually seen in three main types: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and mixed sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea usually occurs when the soft tissues of the tongue and throat temporarily block the airways. Central sleep apnea develops as a result of a communication breakdown between the brain and the respiratory muscles. Mixed sleep apnea is a condition in which both types are seen together. Sleep apnea seriously affects people’s sleep quality and can lead to health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and depression in the long term.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
There are several different causes of sleep apnea. The most common cause is physical obstructions that lead to obstructive sleep apnea. These obstructions include enlarged tonsils, adenoids, a backward-facing tongue, nasal congestion, or being overweight. In overweight individuals, fat accumulates in the neck area, which can narrow the airways and cause apnea. Other risk factors include age, genetic predisposition, smoking, alcohol consumption, and sleeping position. As we age, the muscles in the throat become weaker and can close more easily, increasing the risk of sleep apnea. Additionally, men are more prone to sleep apnea than women. On the other hand, central sleep apnea is caused by a miscommunication between the respiratory center in the brain and the muscles. This type of apnea usually develops due to brain diseases or disorders in the nervous system. In some cases, sleep apnea may be associated with health problems such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease.
How to Treat Sleep Apnea?
Treatment for sleep apnea can vary depending on the cause and severity. First, lifestyle changes are often one of the most effective treatments. Weight loss can help relieve apnea symptoms, as excess weight causes fatty tissue to accumulate, especially in the neck area, and narrows the airways. In addition, avoiding alcohol and medications before going to bed can prevent the airways from relaxing. It is also recommended that people with sleep apnea do not sleep on their backs, as this position can cause the tongue to slide back. Conditions such as allergic reactions or colds that cause nasal congestion can be treated to reduce apnea. In addition, medical treatment options such as a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) device can be used. The CPAP device keeps the airways open during sleep, allowing breathing to continue properly. Since sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems, it can be associated with complications such as heart disease, stroke or high blood pressure if left untreated. Therefore, it is important to start treatment early.
How is Sleep Apnea Surgically Treated?
Surgical treatment is preferred in sleep apnea treatment in cases that do not respond to other treatment methods or in cases of severe sleep apnea. Surgical intervention varies depending on the cause of sleep apnea. In the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, surgical intervention is performed to relieve the obstruction in the airways. Nasal congestion or removal of the adenoids can reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. In addition, if the tongue slides back due to obstructive sleep apnea, the tongue may need to be supported or surgically reduced. Another surgical option is a procedure called uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). In this procedure, excess tissue in the throat, the soft palate and tonsils are removed, thus widening the airways. In addition, in some patients, surgeons may perform jaw surgery to correct the jaw position or strengthen the respiratory muscles. In cases of central sleep apnea, surgery may be required to improve brain function, but there are many more treatment options than surgery in such cases. Surgical treatment should generally be considered as a last resort and should be applied after other treatment methods have failed.
Is There Age or Any Other Criteria for Surgery?
There are certain age limits and criteria for surgical intervention in the treatment of sleep apnea and snoring. Generally, surgical intervention is not recommended in older individuals because the recovery process and risk of complications may increase. However, the necessity and feasibility of surgery depend on the patient’s general health status, the severity of sleep apnea, and the response to treatment. For example, whether surgery is necessary for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is determined by the patient’s age, as well as body mass index (BMI), underlying health problems (such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes), and treatment history prior to surgery. Age can have a direct impact on the success rate of surgery, but it is important to conduct a personalized assessment for each patient. Surgery is generally more successful in younger patients. On the other hand, for some patients, less invasive treatment options can be tried before surgery, depending on age.
What Techniques Can Be Used in Surgical Treatments?
Several different techniques can be used for the surgical treatment of sleep apnea and snoring. One of the most common surgical methods is uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). In this procedure, excess tissue in the throat, the soft palate, uvula (palate sagging) and tonsils are removed, thus widening the airways and preventing obstruction. Another method is the removal of the adenoids. If snoring or sleep apnea is due to nasal congestion or adenoids, surgical removal of these structures can solve the problem. Jaw surgery is also sometimes used; in this case, the lower jaw is pulled forward to make the airways wider. In addition, tongue base surgery can be performed to intervene behind the tongue and prevent the tongue from sliding backwards. Nasal surgeries such as septoplasty and rhinoplasty can also play an important role in the treatment of sleep apnea. If apnea is caused by nasal congestion, the airway can be opened with surgical interventions that correct the nasal structure. Finally, more extensive procedures, such as double jaw surgery, may be used to correct structural problems in the throat and airways. Each surgical technique is chosen based on the patient’s specific needs and the severity of sleep apnea.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment Prices 2025
Smaller interventions such as nose surgery and adenoid surgery can be performed at lower costs and usually range from 8,000 TL to 15,000 TL. In addition, tests, follow-up appointments and additional treatment requirements before and after surgery can also increase the cost. In addition to the surgeries recommended for sleep apnea, there are also medical treatment options such as the use of a CPAP device, which is another factor in determining the price. Such devices are generally sold for between 3,000 TL and 7,000 TL per year. Considering that prices vary, it is important for patients to get detailed information about the cost from their surgeons before starting treatment.