Snoring is the noise produced by the vibration of the tissues in the airway during sleep. Recent studies have shown that snoring can lead to thickening of the carotid arteries over time, which can increase the risk of stroke. Snoring can also be a sign of a serious health issue called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which is characterized by repeated slowing or stopping of breathing in sleep, and this can happen numerous times thorough the night.

To treat the issue, most of the snorers will require a sleep evaluation, which includes sleep testing done in a sleep lab or home. Based on the results of the sleep test, the doctor will recommend various stop snoring solutions. Some of the popular stop snoring solutions for adults are explained below.

Palatal Stiffening Procedures

Doctors usually recommend three types of palatal stiffening procedures – palatial implants, radiofrequency, and injection snoreplasty.

Palatial Implants

Palatial implant therapy, also called as “pillar procedure”, involves the placement of polyester implants into soft palate of the snorer. This is done to stiffen the soft palate and the procedure is done under local anesthesia. Usually, three implants are placed in the soft palate.

Radiofrequency

Radiofrequency treatment is also performed under local anesthesia and use heat to stiffen the soft palate. To get the desired results, the snorer will have to undergo multiple sessions. In the case of radiofrequency therapy, discomfort is higher than that of palatial implant therapy.

Injection Snoreplasty

This treatment is also done under local anesthesia. Injection snoreplasty involves injecting a chemical into the soft palate of the snorer. The inflammation caused by the chemical will result in stiffening of the palate and this will help decrease the vibration.

Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD)

If your snoring problem mainly occurs due to the vibration of the base of your tongue, a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) like snore guard can be helpful in curing the problem. MADs are designed to move your tongue forward to offer more space for the air to flow freely. When more space is offered, the air will be able to flow freely, and so the vibration of the tissue will be reduced, thereby reducing snoring.

Tonsillectomy/Adenoidectomy

Enlarged adenoids and tonsils can be a cause of snoring and sleep disruption. The tonsils and adenoids are present in the back of the nose and is usually a cause of snoring in children, even though it can be the reason of snoring in some adults. If enlarged adenoids or tonsils are the cause of your snoring, excellent results can be obtained through the procedure.