Sleep-related disorders such as snoring and sleep apnea are extremely common, and can have adverse effects on your overall health. These disorders are treated using a variety of ENT therapies and procedures performed right here at our office. At Virginia Ear Nose and Throat, we want to help you get a good night’s sleep again!
What Causes Snoring?
Snoring occurs when airflow is obstructed during sleep. Most people find the grumbling, vibrating noise associated with snoring unpleasant and disruptive. A multitude of health and lifestyle factors are attributed to snoring, including:
Treatment for Snoring
Occasional snoring is common and usually harmless, but chronic snoring that disrupts your sleep, or your partner’s, may indicate a larger issue. In some cases, simple lifestyle changes like losing weight or avoiding alcohol before bed can help. However, when snoring persists, a narrow airway or soft palate anatomy is often to blame.
We offer several minimally invasive treatments to reduce or eliminate snoring caused by palate structure:
These procedures are performed in-office and designed to improve airflow and promote restful, uninterrupted sleep.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder that causes obscured breathing, depriving the patient of oxygen for extended periods of time throughout the night. Not everyone who snores has this condition, but heavy snoring is often an indicator.
Sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems including heart attack and stroke, and you should visit your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
Loud, disruptive snoring and periods where you stop breathing during sleep are the most common signs associated with this condition. The easiest way to detect the presence of these symptoms is if your partner or someone else in your household reports them. From there, we will schedule a clinical study and sleep test to diagnose this condition. These tests monitor breathing patterns, heart rate, oxygen and air flow.
Treatment for Sleep Apnea
Treatment for sleep apnea depends on the cause and severity of your symptoms. Your provider may recommend short- or long-term therapy to restore healthy breathing and improve sleep quality.
The most common treatment is a CPAP machine, which delivers gentle air pressure through a mask to keep your airway open during sleep. Other airflow devices may also be recommended based on your specific needs.
For more severe cases or when structural issues cause obstruction, surgical procedures may be necessary, such as:
Your provider will discuss the best treatment plan for your needs, answer questions, and ensure you feel confident and informed before any procedure. In addition to therapy or surgery, lifestyle changes such as weight loss and avoiding alcohol before bed may further improve symptoms.
We are also proud to offer Inspire®, an innovative, FDA-approved implant that treats the source of sleep apnea by stimulating the airway during sleep. Ideal for patients who haven’t found success with CPAP, Inspire® provides a comfortable, effective solution for better breathing and deeper rest.
Sleep Better and Breathe Easier with Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment in Richmond, VA
Chronic snoring and sleep apnea can leave you feeling exhausted and affect your long-term health, but effective, personalized treatment can make a life-changing difference. At Virginia Ear Nose and Throat, our experienced providers offer a full range of therapies to help. Our goal is to help you achieve restful sleep, improved breathing, and better overall wellness.
Call us today at (804) 484-3700 to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward better sleep and a healthier life.