If snoring and sleep apnea, which means stopping breathing during sleep, are not treated, they cause diseases that seriously affect the quality of life.
What is Snoring Treatment (UPPP) Surgery?
UPPP (Uvulo Palato Pharyngo Plasty) is the name of the surgery performed to eliminate snoring and sleep apnea disorders. With UPPP, the aim is to open the narrowed airway by reducing the epiglottis.
The primary purpose of UPPP surgery is to treat snoring. As the difficulty in breathing during sleep increases in severity, it also brings about problems that seriously affect the quality of life.
Sleep apnea is the complete or partial blockage of the airways due to oxygen decreases during sleep and the interruption of sleep. These blockages are the most severe form of snoring. Sleep apnea, which means the cessation of breathing during sleep, can cause many diseases, especially heart diseases, if left untreated.
Here are some of the symptoms of sleep apnea;
- Snoring
- Noticeable pauses in breathing during sleep
- Waking up with a headache, sore throat
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty breathing when waking up
- Distraction, drowsiness
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the throat area relax. These relaxed muscles contract with respiration, making it difficult for the person to breathe. For this reason, the oxygen level in the blood drops and causes the feeling of being unable to breathe. As a result, the person’s breathing returns to normal only when they wake up.
Excessive weight, larger than normal tonsils, and a retracted tongue are among the causes of sleep apnea and snoring. Congenital or acquired defects can also cause sleep apnea in some cases.
How are Snoring and Sleep Apnea Diagnosed and Treated?
A detailed examination is performed to diagnose this disorder, which is the area of interest of the Ear, Nose and Throat Department. After listening to the patient’s history, a sleep test is performed to measure oxygen level, heart rate, brain waves, muscle tension and respiratory activity. Sleep apnea can be determined in full detail as a result of the sleep test.
How is UPPP Surgery Performed?
Eliminating snoring and sleep apnea is possible by removing the epiglottis, tonsils and even a portion of the soft palate, which are the cause of the vibration in the soft tissue due to the narrow space that prevents breathing.
UPPP surgery is preferred because the risk of bleeding is low and the patient recovers quickly.
Process After UPPP Surgery
Depending on the patient’s condition after sleep apnea surgery, there may be a one-night hospital stay or it may be possible to be discharged after 4-5 hours. Patients should follow a liquid diet for 1-2 days as directed by their doctor, and then follow a soft diet for a few more days. After UPPP surgery, they may experience complaints such as throat and ear pain that decrease each passing day for 5-6 days.
Are There Any Risks of UPPP Surgery?
In the later years of sleep apnea and snoring surgery, there may be repeated loosening and growth in the soft palate, uvula, pharynx, and tongue root tissues that were recovered with surgery due to aging, weight gain and loss, or different disorders, and snoring-sleep apnea may recur. However, it should not be forgotten that delaying the treatment of such complaints due to this possibility may lead to much riskier results.
