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Although operations such as rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty come to mind when it comes to ear, nose, and throat surgeries, the problems that are of interest to this department are much more. Sleep apnea and snoring are also some of these problems. This problem, which is common in society, is not seen as a disease by most people. This delays or prevents patients from receiving treatment. So, what kinds of symptoms do sleep apnea and snoring, which affect at least 30% of our society, occur? How to properly treat this disease?<\/p>\n
Snoring and sleep apnea is a condition that should be taken seriously. First of all, this problem reduces the sleep quality of the individual and causes the general quality of life to be negatively affected. Snoring and sleep apnea should not be considered only as the noise made during sleep. The known symptoms of this disease include feeling tired, stressed, and nervous during the day and sweating, especially in the neck region. Sleep apnea is more common in men and overweight patients. If the patient has a chronic disease accompanying the weight problem, it becomes difficult to be treated with surgical procedures.<\/p>\n
Snoring is observed continuously in 25-30% of adults, and intermittently in 45% of adults. Sleep apnea and snoring occur as a result of the relaxation of the muscles in the area where the tongue root, uvula, soft palate, and tonsils of the person join with the nasal passage during sleep. When these muscles relax, the passage of inhaled air narrows, and the air causes a vibration in the loose tissues. The expression of this vibration is a noisy breathing style that we call snoring.<\/p>\n
So why do men snore more than women? The reason for this is simple: while fat is commonly seen in the hip area in women, neck and abdomen circumferences are more suitable for lubrication in men’s bodies. The pressures exerted by the abdomen on the diaphragm during sleep increase intrathoracic pressure in overweight men. On top of that, if the tongue slides back and causes the muscles around the pharynx to relax, snoring occurs. However, we also encounter the problem of snoring in middle-aged women after the hormonal changes in women after the menopause period.<\/p>\n
It has been observed that the complaint of snoring spontaneously regresses in the majority of patients who lose weight. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid eating and drinking alcohol for at least 3 hours before going to bed at night. Sleeping on your side instead of on your back also prevents snoring.<\/p>\n
If these general measures do not work, special treatments or surgical methods are used. Drug therapy and CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) device can be used instead of surgical treatment. However, drug therapy has not been preferred much recently, as it has long-term side effects. CPAP, which is a kind of respiratory mask, delivers compressed air to the patient through the nose. Therefore, patients with nasal congestion are not suitable for this method. The CPAP device, which should be used regularly every night, carries the risk of causing edema, dryness, crusting, and bleeding in the nose in some patients.<\/p>\n
In patients for whom medical methods, CPAP devices, and oral appliances are not suitable, nasal surgeries, soft palate and uvula, and tongue and tongue root surgeries are performed depending on the type of airway obstruction causing the disease. Orthognathic surgery is also used for problems caused by the lower jaw being left behind.<\/p>\n
If you consider having rhinoplasty surgery,\u00a0contact us<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0right away to get a free consultancy service from\u00a0Prof. Dr. Sel\u00e7uk \u0130nanl\u0131<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sleep apnea<\/b> and <\/span>snoring<\/b> are more than just nighttime annoyances; they are significant medical conditions that can impact a person\u2019s overall health, cardiovascular system, and quality of life. While many people view snoring as a social problem, it often serves as the first clinical sign of a more serious condition known as <\/span>Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)<\/b>. This condition is characterized by repetitive pauses in breathing during sleep due to the partial or complete collapse of the upper airway.<\/span><\/p>\n When we sleep, the muscles in our throat relax. For some individuals, this relaxation leads to a narrowing of the airway. As air struggles to pass through this restricted space, the surrounding tissues\u2014such as the <\/span>soft palate<\/b>, <\/span>uvula<\/b>, and <\/span>tongue base<\/b>\u2014vibrate, creating the sound we know as snoring. If the airway narrows further or closes entirely, oxygen levels in the blood drop, forcing the brain to trigger a brief awakening to restart breathing. This cycle can happen hundreds of times a night, preventing the sufferer from reaching deep, restorative sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n Prof. Dr. Selcuk Inanli<\/b>, an expert in <\/span>Otorhinolaryngology<\/b> and <\/span>Facial Plastic Surgery<\/b>, emphasizes that a comprehensive evaluation is necessary to determine if surgery is the right path. For many, addressing the anatomical obstructions through <\/span>what causes snoring<\/span><\/a> is the key to long-term relief. Surgery aims to widen the airway, stabilize the tissues, and ensure that the patient can breathe effortlessly throughout the night.<\/span><\/p>\n To understand how sleep apnea surgery works, one must first understand where the obstructions occur. The upper airway is a complex system involving the nose, the oral cavity, and the throat. Obstructions generally occur at one or more of the following levels:<\/span><\/p>\n Obstructions in the nose can significantly increase the effort required to breathe. A <\/span>deviated septum<\/b> (the displacement of the wall between the nostrils) or <\/span>turbinate hypertrophy<\/b> (enlargement of the bony structures inside the nose) are common culprits. When the nose is blocked, patients often switch to mouth breathing, which pulls the tongue back and narrows the throat further. Effective <\/span>nasal congestion treatment<\/span><\/a> is often the first step in a multi-level surgical plan.<\/span><\/p>\n This is the most common site for snoring. An elongated uvula or a low-hanging soft palate can act like a flap, vibrating during inhalation and exhalation. In severe cases, these tissues can collapse against the back of the throat, obstructing the airway entirely.<\/span><\/p>\n In some patients, especially those who are overweight or have specific jaw structures, the base of the tongue falls backward during sleep. This is often a more challenging area to treat and requires specialized surgical techniques to stabilize the tongue or advance the jaw.<\/span><\/p>\n Particularly in children and young adults, enlarged <\/span>tonsils<\/b> and <\/span>adenoids<\/b> are primary causes of sleep apnea. Performing a <\/span>tonsillectomy<\/span><\/a> can often result in a complete cure for sleep-disordered breathing in these populations.<\/span><\/p>\n Before any surgical intervention is considered, a thorough diagnostic phase is mandatory. <\/span>Prof. Dr. Selcuk Inanli<\/b> utilizes several tools to map the obstruction:<\/span><\/p>\nWhat Is Sleep Apnea and Snoring Surgery? How Is It Done?<\/b><\/h1>\n
Understanding the Fundamentals of Sleep Apnea and Snoring<\/b><\/h2>\n
The Anatomy of the Upper Airway and Obstruction Sites<\/b><\/h2>\n
The Nasal Level<\/b><\/h3>\n
The Oropharyngeal Level (Soft Palate and Uvula)<\/b><\/h3>\n
The Hypopharyngeal Level (Base of Tongue and Epiglottis)<\/b><\/h3>\n
Tonsils and Adenoids<\/b><\/h3>\n
Diagnostic Procedures: The Path to Surgery<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Types of Sleep Apnea and Snoring Surgeries<\/b><\/h2>\n