Snoring Treatment In Singapore

Tonsils are small, round pieces of tissue located in the back of the mouth on both sides of the throat. Adenoids are similar to tonsils but located in back of the nasal cavity.

Enlarged tonsils and adenoids will contribute to airway narrowing, which precipitate and worsen OSA. The procedure to remove tonsils is known as a tonsillectomy, and removal of the adenoids is called an adenoidectomy. Because they are often removed at the same time, the procedure is referred to as a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a surgery for treating snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. It removes excess soft palate tissue, tightens the pharynx and opens the airway. In addition, the remaining tissue stiffens as it heals, thereby minimizing tissue vibration. 

Inferior turbinate reduction is a procedure that reduces the size of the inferior turbinates in the nose. There are a variety of procedures in-clinic (under local anaesthesia) or surgeries (under general anesthesia) that can reduce, remove or displace the obstructive turbinate tissue, through different cutting-edge technologies involving radiofrequency energy or conventional tissue removal.

Inferior turbinate reduction works by shrinking the inferior turbinates, thus removing the obstruction preventing a clear flow of air through the nasal passages. Thus, the surgery reduces the size of this obstruction, while preserving the very important functions of the inferior turbinates. Improving nasal patency can reduce mouth breathing and the severity of snoring and OSA. 

Septoplasty is a surgery performed to correct a deviated nasal septum. The nasal septum is a partition in your nose made from cartilage and bone. It separates the internal nasal cavity into the right and left sides. A deviated nasal septum is used to describe a condition where this partition is crooked, subsequently narrowing one side of the nasal cavity. Improving nasal patency can reduce mouth breathing and the severity of snoring and OSA. 

While there are many tissues in the throat that can contribute to OSA, the tongue is a major factor. The base of the tongue sits directly next to the windpipe, making it very easy for the tongue to relax and fall into the airway, preventing air from entering. In certain patients, the base of the tongue is overly large, causing them to be more prone to OSA. For such patients, tongue base reduction is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to effectively reduce the size of the tongue, relieving the symptoms of sleep apnea. Several treatments may be required.

The soft palate is comprised of five muscles that play different roles in swallowing and breathing. When patients suffer from sleep apnea, it is often due to a relaxation of one of these muscles. There are several procedures that address the soft palate specifically, preventing it from blocking the airway as you sleep.

Palate radiofrequency is a minimally invasive method to reduce excessive tissue that may be responsible for snoring and OSA. During the procedure, local anesthetic is first delivered to the soft palate. A radiofrequency electrode is then placed into the mouth and inserted under the soft palate. Carefully controlled radiofrequency energy is then delivered through the electrode. The energy creates a controlled lesion underneath the soft palate. Over the several weeks following the procedure, the body will resorb the lesion, which reduces and tightens the soft palate. With its newly reduced size and tighter structure, the soft palate will no longer be the cause of unwanted snoring.