How can I stop snoring?

We explore your options for preventing snoring and explain what treatments can help rid of the frustrating condition for good. 
Snoring affects a lot of us – perhaps a lot more than we’d like to admit. In a recent survey 64% of respondents admitted they were prone to making unenviable nasal sounds in their sleep, while a much larger 89% said their partner regularly snored – leaving numbers not quite adding up.
While spotting the infliction is relatively easy (at least if you’ve a partner or friend who complains), treating it can be a different story. Research has shown that over 70% of over-the-counter snoring treatments do not give sufferers the results they hoped for, and this comes straight down to discovering the actual cause of the problem. Snoring isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition and there’s a multitude of issues that can make it occur; for some it’s sleeping on the back (which makes the tongue roll back to the throat), while others find their problem occurs due to a blocked nose. For a few snoring issues can come down to something as simple as carrying too much weight with too little muscle tone around the throat, or it can sometimes be a direct result of a deviated septum in the nose.
One of our most popular treatments for snoring is minimally-invasive, 15 minute Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP). Performed under local anaesthetic, the treatment uses a laser to remove and reform excess soft tissue (uvula) on the back of the throat. This excess soft tissue  obstructs the airways and causes the sounds as it vibrates. LAUP gets rid of this obstruction, thus freeing the airways and easing the air flow in the area. Likewise, minimally-invasive treatments like the use of laser to unlock the nose, and Bipolar Radiofrequency Thermotherapy (which uses radio frequency to tighten the muscle within the soft palate) also tackle this problem to stop the nasal night sounds.

However, the treatment isn’t always suitable for everyone. The three treatments will not be able to help those suffering with a deviated septum, where the piece of nose that separates the left and night nostril is displaced. Under this circumstance, you’ll need to be referred to one of our leading plastic surgeons for consultation on a minor rhinoplasty procedure (referred to as Septo-Rhinoplasty).
It might be that you don’t need a procedure. For some people, snoring can be alleviated massively through simply losing a little bit of weight or, for those who drink too much alcohol, cutting back can make a real difference. During our consultations we run through factors like this with you, and analyse all the answers to make sure you’re not spending money on a treatment you don’t need.
Which method is best for you will depend entirely on your individual case; it might be that 15 minute laser treatment is all you need to prevent the frustrating problem, or you may find that working a plastic surgeon and undergoing a rhinoplasty is the only real way forward. Regardless, make sure you work with only the best – snoring is a small problem, but it can have a huge effect on the sleep quality of both you and your partner. Treatment is only as straightforward as an expert makes it, and getting rid of it comes down to the knowledge of the medical professionals you work with and the methods they use.

The Private Clinic

Our mission for the last thirty years has been to provide only the most effective treatments. This means working with industry leaders. Our LAUP treatment is performed by its inventor, Mr. Yves Kamami, who has over 30 years’ experience in the field and is one of the leading figures in the treatment of snoring, blocked noses and sleep apnea. We know small problems can have a huge effect on how you feel, which is why we work hard to make sure we find the best solution for you to stop it for good. LAUP is available at our Birmingham and London clinics. Rhinoplasty consultations are available across the country and procedures are performed in our Manchester and London clinics.
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