Uvulectomy

Snoring is a common condition for people across Utah, and its harsh sounds have caused poor sleep for countless families, friends, and neighbors. Snoring occurs when air flows over the tissues in your throat as you breathe. Everyone may snore at some point, but many people deal with a chronic snoring problem, and in some cases, snoring can point to a bigger underlying medical issue. To treat patients with snoring problems, Douglas Anderson, an experienced ENT specialist in Ogden, may sometimes recommend the uvula palatoplasty procedure.

Symptoms of Chronic Snoring

If you have a chronic snoring problem, you may experience:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Trouble concentrating
• Observed breathing pauses while asleep
• Headaches first thing in the morning
• Restless sleep
• Choking or gasping while sleeping
• Snoring so loudly it disrupts your partner’s sleep
• High blood pressure
• Chest pain at night

Snoring can result from a variety of causes, including constricted airways, extra tissues in the back of the throat, alcohol consumption, chronic nasal congestion, sleep deprivation, and sleep position (people who sleep on their back are most likely to snore). If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consider meeting with Dr. Anderson, a Utah ENT specialist, about your treatment options.

What is a Uvula Palatoplasty Procedure?

A uvula palatoplasty procedure, or radiofrequency palatoplasty, uses an electrical current to stiffen and shrink the uvula and soft palate, both of which are found on the back part of the roof of the mouth. When these tissues are stiffer, they tend to vibrate less, reducing the likelihood that you will snore while sleeping. This is an outpatient procedure, which boasts a shorter recovery time than other surgery procedures to stop snoring in Utah. The procedure is relatively painless and most patients observe a decrease in their snoring within 4 weeks. After surgery, patients experience a mild sore throat, but that generally subsides within a few days.

Is your snoring keeping your partner awake at night? Do you wake up feeling groggy and unable to concentrate throughout the day? Chronic snoring is a very real problem for many people, and if you are ready to get yours under control, come see Douglas Anderson in Ogden to discuss the uvula palatoplasty procedure.