Loud or hoarse noises that occur during your sleep are called snoring and indicate obstructed breathing. While snoring often relieves without treatment, some people with the condition develop an increased risk for stroke or other health conditions. Doctors may prescribe laser therapy to help restore proper breathing function. Alert your doctor before taking any supplement that claims to cure snoring, especially if you have existing health conditions.
Abnormal Breathing
Although snoring is often regarded as a nuisance to others who may be sleeping nearby, the noise is caused by an obstruction to your normal breathing process and may indicate a serious health condition. Breathing obstructions can be triggered by a variety of factors, including your weight and nasal congestion, although some people suffer the obstruction due to enlarged hanging throat tissue, called the uvula, or a lower-than-normal soft palate. Medical care is essential for severe cases of snoring in order to reduce your risk for stroke, high blood pressure or heart problems.
Laser Therapy
Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty, or LAUP, serves as an effective outpatient treatment for snoring. The treatment involves the use of a small device that emits lasers to reduce the size of your soft palate, remove excess throat tissue and shorten the uvula. The therapy results in an expanded airway and reduces vibrations in your throat that trigger snoring. Laser treatment is performed in your doctor's office while you are awake. Doctors often review your overall health, lifestyle and medications prior to recommending laser therapy and you may be asked to participate in a sleep study to determine the severity of your breathing obstruction.
Time Frame
People who undergo laser therapy as a remedy for breathing obstructions often require several treatments spaced a few weeks apart. The treatments last less than 30 minutes and most people notice improvement after the first session. Infection, bleeding and nasal congestion are common side effects of laser therapy. Pain that occurs during swallowing is common and resembles the discomfort associated with a sore throat. Your doctor may recommend an oral analgesic or anti-inflammatory medication, as the pain often lasts longer than a week.
Sleep Apnea & Lasers
Sleep apnea is a disorder that occurs when throat tissues block your airway and prevent breathing for short time periods. People who suffer the condition typically wake several times throughout the night due to a lack of oxygen. Although laser therapy alone is not an effective treatment for sleep apnea, doctors may combine laser surgery with other treatments in order to bring relief.
Potential
Although some doctors recommend a method called laser acupuncture as an alternative treatment for asthma, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness and long-term effects of the procedure.
References
- American Academy of Otolaryngology --- Head and Neck Surgery: Laser Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty
- Cleveland Clinic: Treatments for Snoring
- MayoClinic.com: Sleep Apnea
- Daily Mail: The Anti-Snoring Laser
- MayoClnic.com: Snoring
- National Institutes of Health: Laser Acupuncture In Children And Adolescents With Exercise Induced Asthma
