The evaluation begins with a careful history and examination of the airway by the ENT physician. Some patients will require a detailed study of their sleep patterns in a Sleep Laboratory. This is called a sleep study. Once the cause or causes for the snoring have been identified, treatment options are discussed. Non-surgical treatments of snoring include weight loss and avoidance of sedatives and alcohol, particularly in the evening.
Some patients consider a bite splint worn in the mouth to reposition the jaw during sleep.
Surgical options may also be considered. In patients with clear airway obstruction, such as large tonsils or significant nasal airway obstruction, surgery can be directed specifically at these areas. If there is not a significant airway obstruction on evaluation, then the most likely site of production of the snoring noise is the soft palate. The treatments for snoring have been directed at the soft palate for some time now with good success. A new procedure called Somnoplasty has been recently developed and can be performed in the office under local anesthesia.