Loud snoring may be an indicator of sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder which may increase your risk for heart attack, stroke or atrial fibrillation.
Rhinoplasty is an effective way to enhance breathing and decrease snoring, as well as aid with sleep apnea. But did you know it may also provide assistance for this condition?
Reduction rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty can help alleviate snoring and sleep apnea by correcting nasal obstruction. Deviated septum, large turbinates, long or thick uvula or an improper base of tongue are all known contributors to sleep apnea that can be corrected via surgery – incisions made within or across columella are made and cartilage/bone may be reshaped to improve airflow through the nose during rhinoplasty surgery.
Nose surgery may help reduce snoring and improve breathing, as well as bring better balance to your facial features. A large, crooked or off-center nose may make people self-conscious about their appearance, leading to reduced quality of life and decreasing confidence in oneself. By reducing its size it may bring this structure more in proportion with other facial structures and restore confidence in their appearance.
Those suffering from obstructive sleep apnea or loud and frequent snoring should seek medical advice as soon as possible, since their condition could lead to serious health complications, including high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. There are various treatment options available including rhinoplasty which should only be performed by experienced plastic surgeons who specialize in sleep disorders treatment.
Central sleep apnea is the most prevalent form of obstructive sleep apnea, in which the brain fails to send proper signals for respiratory system function. Many individuals who snore and have high blood pressure also suffer from this condition which has been linked with increased risks of heart disease and stroke. Treatment options available for treating central sleep apnea include weight loss, medication adjustments and sleeping positions adjustments as well as anti-snoring devices.
Palatal implants (or Pillar procedures) offer another minimally-invasive option to address both snoring and sleep apnea. It involves inserting 3 to 5 tiny, woven inserts in the soft palate to reduce vibration and limit how easily tissue blocks your airway. This treatment method may offer long-term solutions, especially among those suffering mild to moderate obstruction to their airway or habitual snoring.
Rhinoplasty for snoring
Snoring can be both irritating and problematic for its perpetrator and their partner. Snoring may lead to lack of energy throughout the day, concentration problems and thinking problems; and in extreme cases even increased heart rates, high blood pressure or other health concerns.
Most people who snore have some kind of structural issue which narrows their airways, such as having a deviated septum which restricts nasal airflow and causes nasal obstruction. Rhinoplasty surgery may change the shape of a nose to open up more airflow for reduced snoring and sleep apnea symptoms.
Undergoing rhinoplasty surgery will involve having incisions made in either nostril or across columella to allow surgeon to reshape bone and cartilage structures that restrict airflow to improve airflow, possibly also by extracting excess tissue to achieve their desired results. In many cases this will reduce or eradicate snoring, while sometimes even treating sleep apnea as well.
Some patients may experience temporary snoring post-procedure as their nasal tissues adjust to their new positions; however, most snoring should subside soon after healing of incisions is complete.
One can reduce snoring and sleep apnea using various strategies, including lifestyle modifications, medications, and wearing a mask; however, these measures aren’t always successful nor long-lasting solutions. Rhinoplasty offers an alternative long-term solution that helps stop both snoring and sleep apnea.
If a deviated septum or another issue is causing you to snore, please reach out and make an appointment at our Ijamsville, MD practice. Dr. Will will assess your condition and identify whether rhinoplasty would be the solution to help improve breathing and promote restful night’s rest. He can then develop a personalized plan tailored specifically to you to improve both. Give us a call now so we can schedule your consultation; we look forward to meeting you!
Rhinoplasty for sleep apnea
Rhinoplasty may be the answer to your snoring and sleep apnea issues. By removing excess cartilage from the nose and correcting its shape, Rhinoplasty can treat structural snoring by opening nasal airways more freely while sleeping, thus decreasing vibrational soft tissues that cause snoring while simultaneously improving overall health.
Rhinoplasty surgery can also effectively address structural issues in the upper airway that cause snoring. When combined with other procedures to improve breathing, such as Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UP3) which removes soft palate and tonsils to promote airflow, it provides effective treatment for sleep apnea while simultaneously decreasing snoring and improving quality sleep.
Sleep Apnea affects an estimated 45% of adult males. It is a disorder that prevents people from restful sleep, leading to decreased quality of life and leading to many health complications such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes – not to mention low quality restful sleep that makes concentration difficult during the daytime and causes GERD symptoms as well as headaches! There are multiple treatments for Sleep Apnea including lifestyle modifications, mouthpieces or surgery as an option – Rhinoplasty could also provide relief!
Snoring may persist for weeks following nasal surgery due to swelling. It is normal for this snoring to continue until its healing has completed successfully and should subside eventually; otherwise it should see your physician so he/she can make sure there aren’t any other issues preventing you from breathing normally.
Studies demonstrate that functional rhinoplasty can significantly decrease snoring and sleep apnea in those suffering from nasal obstruction, particularly those with BMIs below 30. Results were most evident for individuals who took part in questionnaires and polysomnography tests that focused on deviated septum, nasal valve obstruction and enlarged turbinates as causes for sleep disturbances; nasal surgery improved these conditions but did not alter severity of apnea symptoms.
Rhinoplasty for nasal obstruction
Rhinoplasty can dramatically change the shape of your nose for improved appearance and breathing. Additionally, rhinoplasty may help repair injuries or birth defects such as deviated septum. Prior to performing rhinoplasty surgery, your surgeon will discuss your goals before inspecting both inside and outside aspects of your nose in detail before taking photographs from various angles to be used as before-and-after comparisons and reference during surgery.
Your initial visit will include a physical exam and review of your medical history, including any allergies and medications you are currently taking. Be sure to inform the surgeon of any conditions which could alter the outcomes of an operation, such as hemophilia (a blood-clotting disorder).
After administering local anesthesia to your nose and lips, a plastic surgeon will make a small incision at the base of each nostril to realign bone and cartilage using either open or closed surgery techniques.
Closed procedures involve incisions made within the nostrils by a surgeon; these incisions tend to heal quickly and become almost undetectable over time. Your surgeon may also use grafts of cartilage from either your ear or rib cage in order to create more dramatic changes to the shape of your nose.
Recovery typically begins around the third day and should quickly subside thereafter. You will need to keep your head elevated for one week to minimize bleeding and swelling; additionally, external and internal splints will help maintain the new shape while it heals – these should typically be taken off in office within seven days.
Most patients return to work and regular activities within one week. You should avoid contact sports and intense exercise until your nose has completely healed; sunblock with SPF 30 protection or higher should also be worn to protect it from direct sunlight. Your doctor will provide specific instructions for healing; additionally they may request follow-up appointments to make sure the area is healing correctly.
