sleep disorders

snoring and sleep disorders

Helping You Sleep Better

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 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!

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:

  • Nasal blockage

  • Enlarged tonsils

  • Anatomy of the mouth (excess thickness in the soft palate, elongated uvula, etc.)

  • Weight gain

  • Sleep apnea

  • Other medical conditions (thyroid problems, etc.)

Treating Snoring In Richmond, Virginia

Occasional snoring does not normally indicate a larger health problem. If snoring becomes medically chronic or interferes with the ability of you and those around you to sleep soundly, it may be time to make a change. Sometimes, lifestyle changes such as losing weight and avoiding alcohol consumption right before going to sleep can improve snoring. If snoring persists, the anatomy of the mouth could cause a narrow airway and be at fault. We often find that the best way to eliminate or improve snoring due to the shape of the palate is through the following minimally-invasive procedures performed in our office:

During this procedure, your provider places small threads of cotton in the palate. Over time, this helps stiffen the palate and raise the uvula

Needles are placed in the soft palate while the patient is sedated. The injections use radio wave frequencies to cause scarring, which stiffens the palate

This procedure safely and surgically shortens, or removes, parts of the uvula to relieve snoring

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:

  • Extreme tiredness in the morning

  • Morning headaches

  • Sleepiness during the day

  • High blood pressure

  • Trouble paying attention

  • Depression

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.

Treating Sleep Apnea

Treatment for this disorder depends on the patient’s symptoms and the cause of the obstruction. Your provider may recommend short or long-term therapy to improve symptoms. Therapies include the use of an airway pressure device such as a CPAP machine, which delivers air pressure through a mask while you sleep. CPAP is the most common therapy for sleep disorders, but there are other airflow devices available that we may recommend. In more severe cases of sleep apnea, or when the condition is caused by an underlying issue, your Virginia Ear Nose and Throat provider may suggest a surgical procedure. Surgical procedures include:

A common procedure to remove the tonsils, a tonsillectomy can help open obstructed airways during sleep.

A deviated nasal septum and large turbinates can cause nasal obstruction. These procedures are used to help improve airflow.

This type of palate surgery removes part of the soft palate, aiding in removing obstruction while sleeping.

If surgery is necessary, your provider will help determine which procedure is best for you. At Virginia Ear Nose and Throat, we meet with patients before their surgery to discuss the procedure, answer questions and help patients feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible. In addition to therapy or surgery, your provider may also recommend lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and avoiding alcohol to help treat your sleep disorder.

Insprire Sleep Logo

Introducing Inspire® Sleep Apnea Treatment

Dr. Milien of Virginia Ear Nose and Throat is excited to offer Inspire®, an FDA-approved technology that is implanted in a quick outpatient procedure to treat sleep apnea. This cutting-edge technology is a great option for patients who have not found success with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or other treatments. Inspire® utilizes an implanted device to treat the source of sleep apnea and improve overall sleep quality.