What exactly is Nightlase?
Nightlase is a non-invasive laser therapy that expands a patient’s airway, improving sleep and snoring reduction. The therapy results in the contraction of the soft tissues at the back of the throat and airway, therefore widening the airway. Nightlase therapy comprises three to four sessions spread over nine to twelve weeks. Each visit lasts around 45 minutes. Snoring improvement often lasts up to a year, and treatments may be repeated as necessary.
Am I a Nightlase Snoring Treatment Candidate?
You are likely a candidate for Nightlase if you snore or have mild to severe sleep apnea.
Is snoring more than a noise?
Snoring could be a symptom of a more severe health problem, such as sleep apnea. Snoring occurs when a partial airway obstruction results in the snoring sound, while sleep apnea is defined as a total airway obstruction lasting at least 10 seconds. When a person has a sleep apnea incident, they stop breathing for ten seconds or longer.
Sleep Apnea Diagnosis is Critical
While Nightlase may be effective in reducing snoring, sleep apnea may persist.
Snoring is often connected to sleep apnea, but it is also possible for people with sleep apnea not to snore. This implies that if you do not get a complete evaluation before therapy, your snoring issue may be resolved, but you may still have undetected sleep apnea. The reality is that most individuals who snore continuously also have sleep apnea, so it’s critical to have a complete diagnosis before beginning Nightlase therapy.
Nightlase is not a quick snoring treatment.
Because the whole process of Nightlase therapy often takes many months, you may not see improvements after one or two doses. Nightlase treatment is successful because it utilizes laser light, and soft tissue regenerates and tightens up when exposed to laser radiation. The Nightlase therapy at the Breathing and Sleep Center of Colorado Springs is a bundle of three to four sessions that maximizes benefits for our patients. Following these first three to four treatments, some patients may need further or touch-up procedures.
Is the Nightlase Snoring Treatment Involve any pain?
Some individuals have reported experiencing a dry tongue and mouth after their treatments. No reports of discomfort or limitations exist, and patients may eat and drink immediately after consultations. Pre and post-treatment, staying hydrated may help alleviate dryness.
At Albany Cosmetic and Laser Centre in Edmonton, we provide this treatment if you have performed a sleep study and received a full consultation on sleep apnea from your family physicians.
Snoring Treatment with a Life Style Modifications
Snoring might interfere with your sleep or the sleep of your companion. Even if it does not cause you undue discomfort, snoring is not a sign to ignore. Indeed, snoring may be a sign of a significant health problem. Certain lifestyle modifications may also aid in the treatment of snoring.
Always sleep on your side:
Our sleeping position affects the tongue, as it may slide to the back of your throat, partially blocking airflow. Sleeping on your side may be all that is necessary to enable air to circulate freely and decrease or eliminate snoring. Consider the following strategies for sleeping on your side without developing back or neck pain.
Get enough sleep:
Ensure you obtain the 7–9 hours of sleep that people need each night. Snoring may be exacerbated by sleep deprivation. This is because it has the potential to induce your neck muscles to relax, increasing your vulnerability to airway blockage. Snoring may also contribute to sleep deprivation by interfering with sleep.
Raise your bed’s head:
A high pillow may help prevent snoring by maintaining open airways. You may utilize things such as bed risers or pillows to provide a little more height.
Stick-on nasal strips:
These Strips may be put on the bridge of the nose to assist in expanding the nasal passageway. This may improve your breathing efficiency and help you minimize or eliminate snoring. Additionally, you might try an external nasal dilator, a stiffened adhesive strip that is put across the nostrils on top of the nose. This may reduce airflow resistance, making breathing easier. Additionally, internal nasal dilators are available. These are placed within the nose.
Limit or abstain from alcohol before bedtime:
Avoid consuming alcohol for at least three hours before sleep. Alcohol may cause the throat muscles to relax, resulting in snoring. Alcohol may also cause sleep disturbances in other ways. For instance, a 2020 research found that alcohol use is connected with decreased REM sleep. REM sleep is important since memories are formed, and dreams occur.
Avoid sedatives before going to bed:
Consult your doctor if you are currently taking sedatives to determine your choices. Stopping sedative usage before bedtime may help alleviate snoring. As with alcohol, sedatives may cause muscles such as your throat to relax.
If you smoke, attempt to quit:
Smoking is a harmful habit that may exacerbate snoring. According to a 2014 study, smoking may raise your chance of developing OSA or exacerbate the illness. Additional conclusive research is required. Consult a physician about available treatments, such as gum or patches, that may assist you in quitting.
Maintain a healthy body weight:
If you are obese, losing weight will assist in reducing the amount of tissue in your neck. Excess tissue might be the source of your snoring.
You may lose weight by lowering your calorie consumption and increasing your nutrient-dense meal intake. Daily exercise should be a priority. Additionally, you may choose to get assistance from a physician or a nutritionist.
Manage persistent allergies:
Allergies may impair nasal airflow, forcing you to breathe through your mouth. This raises the chance of snoring. Consult your physician to determine whether over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription allergy drugs may benefit your situation. They come in various formulations, including nasal sprays, liquids, and tablets.
Snoring may impair both your and your partner’s sleep. Apart from being inconvenient, it may signify a significant health problem. Contacting a physician and experimenting with one or more of the therapy above methods may assist you in managing your sleep.
Consult a physician about snoring if:
You exhibit signs or symptoms of sleep apnea, such as gasping for breath while sleeping, nocturia, frequent nighttime urine, hypersomnia, or excessive daytime drowsiness.
If you wake up every day with a feeling of dry mouth and aching throat
Correct structural anatomical abnormalities in your nose:
Certain individuals are born with or sustain an injury that results in a deviated septum. This is a misaligned wall that divides the two sides of the nose, obstructing airflow. A deviated septum may result in mouth breathing during sleep, which can be heard as snoring. To treat this issue, septoplasty surgery may be required. Septoplasty is a procedure that you may learn more about.
CPAP Machines
Use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) equipment if you suffer from OSA. These machines are the gold standard for OSA therapy. It requires you to sleep with a pressurized air mask covering your nose, mouth, or both. This may assist in maintaining open airways. Other sorts of masks are available, including ones that are more comfortable for people who wear glasses or sleep with their lips open.
Utilize a dental appliance:
Dentists prescribe and install oral appliances. These devices enlarge the upper airway during sleep, hence reducing snoring.
Substitute palatal implants:
Also known as the pillar technique, this operation decreases or eliminates snoring and improves OSA. Tiny implants are implanted into the soft palate to dampen tissue vibration during this operation. Palatal implants help you stop snoring by stiffening your soft palate. This therapy is indicated for those who suffer from mild to severe sleep apnea. It is not suggested for those who suffer from severe sleep apnea or are obese.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP):
UPPP is a procedure that involves the removal of extra tissue from the throat to enlarge the airway. This may sometimes allow for easier air passage down the throat when breathing, hence minimizing snoring. It may be performed using conventional surgical procedures or with a laser, allowing for outpatient treatment. Numerous studies, including one from 2008 and another from 2014, have shown that UPPP or laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) may be significant due to snoring intensity as determined by patient reports. Certain studies, such as an earlier 1999 study, contained reports from bed partners. However, clinical patient follow-up indicates that the impact of these operations is not long-lasting.