Snoring procedure
/ Courtesy: NBC News
Does snoring keep you up at night? What about your partner's snoring? A lot of people struggle with partners who snore. Some say they would even consider breaking up with someone who kept them awake snoring. Seeking treatment can alleviate the problem, saving relationships, and even lives.
Tara Coghlan loves her boyfriend, but his snoring is a different story. "I've tried ear plugs, little nice love taps, those don't seem to work," Coghlan said.
Her boyfriend, Alex Leming figures that on a scale of one to ten, it's pretty bad. "I would probably say a seven," Leming said. Coghlan calls it a ten.
So in the interest of domestic harmony, Alex and Tara wound up at the first clinic in Illinois devoted entirely to snoring and it's more dangerous counterpart, sleep apnea.
Ear, Nose and Throat specialist, Dr. Craig Schwimmer, says he got the idea when he was socializing. "We'd go to dinner parties and when I would introduce myself as a snoring expert invariably their response was 'could you see my husband tomorrow'," said Dr. Schwimmer, an Otolaryngologist.
For Alex and most patients, Dr. Schwimmer performs two procedures. First, he injects tiny threads into the soft palate. That cuts down on the vibrations that cause snoring. Then he uses a radio-frequency wand to melt tissue in the nose so breathing becomes easier.
He concedes that it may not be a cure all, but bedtime becomes a lot more pleasant for many couples. "With these techniques, we can achieve bed partner satisfaction rates of up to 90-percent," Dr. Schwimmer said.
Patients say the pain is minimal and the procedure takes just a few minutes. It costs about $3,900, which insurance doesn't cover. But the procedure, aside from being a relationship save, can also be a lifesaver for people with sleep apnea. "There were times I would doze on the way home in the car," said Mike Natarus. That's how sleep apnea affected him. It also put him at risk for diabetes, stroke and heart disease, so he got the procedure and is now sleeping better and getting up more refreshed.
Are you a terrible snorer? Does your partner's snoring keep you up at night? Is it a relationship breaker for you? What have you done to try and fix the problem? Would you try this procedure? Leave your thoughts below?
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Information courtesy of NBC News
