Snoring
is extremely common, affecting more than half of the adult
population, and to a certain degree children as well. Childhood
snoring is most frequently caused by the enlargement of tonsils
or adenoids due to acute or chronic inflammation. In case
of acute inflammation, medical treatment is effective in
shrinking the enlarged tonsils, whereas, in chronic inflammation,
the enlarged tonsils have to be surgically removed. In either
case, with the resolution of the underlying cause, snoring
ceases.
In adults, oversized uvula, or loose, atonic soft palate
generally cause snoring because during sleep, they vibrate
against the
posterior pharyngeal wall. Snoring can also be caused by
partially obstructed nasal breathing, especially in supine
position,
because vacuum created during inhalation, slams the root
of the tongue and the epiglottis powerfully against the
back of
the pharynx. This not only causes loud snoring, but can lead
to serious sleeping disorders (sleep apnea) as well.
Snoring by itself is not a serious illness as long as it
does not bother the affected individual. However, snoring
can lead to conflicts in marriage or other relationships.
Lots of practical solutions are in circulation, most of which
are invented by the sleep deprived partners (for example,
taping a tennis ball on the back, to prevent individuals
who snore when sleeping on their back, to sleep in that position;
other methods include using various pacifiers, to prevent
the root of the tongue from falling back, but we could go
on and on listing all the various solutions ranging from
earplugs to sleeping in separate bedrooms).
The problem arises, when during
snoring breathing ceases, for shorter or longer periods,
regularly or irregularly.
Individual pauses in breathing can last 1 or even 1.5 minutes
that could earn the envy of professional scuba divers. During
these gaps, the blood's oxygen level decreases while the
blood's carbon dioxide level increases, and at a certain
point, this leads to the urge to inhale once again. At the
same time, the pulse rate increases, placing undue stress
on the heart. This leads sometimes to full awakening, but
more frequently just to emerging to a more "superficial" light sleep. If these gaps in breathing occur frequently, optimal
sleeping-depth can not be achieved, and even after 10 hours
sleep we may wake up tired and feel unrested.
We feel tired during the day, our ability to concentrate
decreases, as does our productivity, we become forgetful,
irritable, and with time, our entire personality changes.
Treatment options
With this problem, you could
turn to an ENT or lung specialist. Various examinations are
necessary to arrive at the accurate diagnosis and chose the
appropriate treatment.
Following the usual physical exam, a pulse-oxymetric study
finalizes the diagnosis. The patient is provided with a
small, portable diagnostic device, which needs to be
worn even during
the night. This device measures the pulse rate, the length
and frequency of gaps in breathing, as well as changes
in blood oxygen levels. We download the information captured
by the device onto a computer the following day. The computer
displays the information graphically, and after analyzing
it, we are able to recommend the most appropriate treatment
to the patient.
The complex treatment of snoring involves changes of certain
habits and the lifestyle of the patient. Unfortunately,
true success requires giving up alcohol consumption at
night as
well as the regular use of sleeping pills. If the patient
is overweight, loosing a couple of pounds also helps
a great deal. In more serious cases, the patient will
have
to wear
a silicon mask while sleeping. Through this mask, high
pressure oxygen keeps the pharynx open during inhalation,
allowing
for a calm, undisturbed sleep.
Depending on the findings
during supine endoscopic exam, surgery on the soft palate
(Uvulo-pharyngoplasty,
UPP) may
decrease the intensity of snoring and the frequency of apneic
spells, which might cease altogether.
Multiple strategies exist for UPP surgery. We choose the
most suitable option based on each patients unique anatomy.
We perform laser, as well as other surgical operations
in our clinic.
In case of impaired nasal
breathing (nasal polyp, septal deviation, allergies, vasomotor
rhinitis, etc.) the underlying
cause has to be resolved by either conservative or surgical
means, before embarking on the treatment of snoring or sleep
apnea. Successful therapy might considerably decrease the
negative inhalatory pressure, significantly contributing
to the amelioration of symptoms.
Snoring
Snoring can be caused by multiple
reasons. Most frequently, a large, hanging uvula and a loose,
flapping, sail-like soft palate cause this unpleasant phenomenon,
bothering not only one's surroundings, but disturbing one's
sleep cycle, potentially leading to deterioration of mental
and physical well being. Other ENT, CNS or medical problems
may also cause snoring. If the initial examination reveals
that snoring can be attributed to one of the above mentioned
anatomical problems, laser surgery becomes a potential option.
The surgery
The surgery is usually performed
under general anesthesia. The procedure consists of removing
the extremely oversized uvula, and constructing a new one
from the tissue of the loose and large soft palate. In order
to avoid wound infection, intra- or post-operative bleeding
and due to the extraordinarily fine surgical technique, the
procedure is performed with laser.
Postoperative care
After an observation period,
which depends on the nature of the anesthesia used, the patient
is discharged home accompanied by a helper. In every case,
the pain gradually increases during the first 5-6 days after
surgery. During this time, we recommend taking painkillers.
Strenuous activities need to be avoided during the fist week.
It is important to realize that one day surgery does not
mean, that one is completely cured in one day, but rather,
it means that within one day, the patient can go home, and
continue the recuperation process there. The purpose of daily
telephone contacts is to keep the clinic constantly updated
on the patients condition, as well as allowing the clinic
to take the appropriate action in case of complications (bleeding,
temperature, swallowing complications). Besides these, most
other problems that might develop during recuperation can
also be addressed over the phone. A follow up examination
is necessary after one week.
Post-surgery
diet
It is always advisable to
avoid alcohol or carbonated beverages. It is just as important
to avoid eating rough, choppy food. During the first days,
Oeufs a la Neige, unseasoned strained vegetables, tea, grated
bologna or ham, or even ice cream consumed slowly is suggested.
It is generally true, that food that can be swallowed without
pain is also advantageous for the healing process. It is
imperative to avoid fruits, or vegetables that may have been
contaminated with soil.
Fees
Charge for examination and consultation: 10.000
HUF > Euro
Surgery under local
anesthesia: 130.000
HUF > Euro
Charge for general anesthesia: 40.000 HUF > Euro
Charge for overnight stay: 30.000 HUF > Euro
50% of total charges has to be paid as a deposit before surgery.
Appointments:
Monday-Friday, 8 am - 8 pm.
Telephone: + (36 1) 266-7766
Abdominoplasty |
Acne
treatment |
Breast
augmentation |
Breast
reduction |
Dentistry |
Ear,
nose, throat |
Gynecology |
Hemorrhoid
surgery |
Lipoma |
Mole
treatment |
Orthopedics |
Permanent
epilation |
Plastic
surgery |
Removal
of pigmented naevi |
Removal
of teleangiectasia |
Removal
of warts |
Rhinoplasty |
Surgery |
Surgery
for hernia |
Surgery
for phimosis |
Urology |
Varix
surgery
Sitemap - magyar |
Sitemap
- deutsch |
Sitemap
- english
|
