Sleep Apnea Laser Treatment – Is it a Good Option?

Introduction:

Sleep apnea is the most common sleep disorder or disturbance condition known to affect millions of people worldwide. In this condition, a person goes through frequent interruptions in his breathing while sleeping, which results in restlessness all night and fatigue during the day. The common sleep apnea symptom is loud and heavy snoring while sleeping, which can be disruptive for the individual himself and their bed partner as well.

Different options for sleep apnea laser treatment are available now, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and some surgical procedures; some individuals may also go for other treatments, such as sleep apnea laser treatment. This treatment is the relatively latest and new, using surgery to undermine the causes of sleep apnea. This treatment involves using a special laser known as Nightlase and YAG. It uses a surgical laser to tighten the tissues in the palate and airway, reducing the likelihood of airway obstruction and improving sleep. This article will discuss and explore more about sleep apnea laser treatment, the factors we should consider before choosing it, and whether or not it is a good option.

What is Sleep Apnea Laser Treatment? 

Sleep apnea laser treatment or nonsurgical laser Therapy is a relatively new technique, sometimes called Nightlase. Dr. Harvey Finkelstein developed this technique in 2003 and named it after one of the specific laser technology used during the procedure. Sleep apnea treatment is a better solution and treatment option for those seeking non-surgical laser options.

In this procedure, a laser stimulates the collagen in the throat’s tissues, which causes the tissues to contract and tighten. The narrowing and tightening of the tissues can help reduce the likelihood of airway obstruction, one of the main reasons and causes of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea laser treatment normally involves several sessions performed over several weeks. During each session, the laser targets a specific point of the throat, like the uvula and the soft palate.

While it might be a good option for some people, it’s still better to discuss the advantages and disadvantages earlier of this treatment with a qualified doctor.

Advantages: Sleep Apnea Laser Treatment:

It is a non-surgical and non-invasive treatment option. It has many advantages over traditional other surgical treatments. Here are some of the main common advantages of sleep apnea laser treatment:

Non-invasive: It is a non-invasive and non-surgical laser treatment option for sleep apnea, requiring no incision or sutures as surgical treatment. It means there is going to be no cutting or removal of tissue. Instead, It uses a laser to stimulate the tissues in the throat. It is a suitable option for those patients or individuals who seek non-surgical or may not be a good candidate for surgery due to underlying health issues.

No Hospitalization: Hospitalization is not required for sleep apnea laser treatment as it is normally treated as an outpatient procedure that does not need any feel to make the patient stay in the hospital. It means the patient can return home and go around his daily routine. It is a fast and quick procedure which means it can be done quickly.

Short recovery time: The recovery time for the laser treatment is quick and short, which means the patient can get discharged from the hospital after a short while, but he might still experience some soreness and discomfort in the treated site for some days after the treatment procedure.

No General Anesthesia:  Nightlase treatment is a non-surgical procedure, so general anesthesia is unnecessary. Instead, a specified laser is used, such as a YAG laser. It reduces the side effects, potential risks, and other anesthesia-related complications such as nausea, vomiting, confusion, dizziness, etc.

High Success rate: High success rate is also an advantage of nightless laser treatment. The success rate for sleep apnea laser treatment or therapy is generally around 70-80%, with many patients experiencing a significant reduction and improvement in snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. Compared to other treatment options available for it, such as CPAP, which can be uncomfortable, irritating, and difficult for some patients to use consistently, sleep apnea laser treatment has proven to be a more comfortable and convenient solution.

Improved quality of life: This surgical laser treatment is known as Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP). It is well known to improve the patient’s lifestyle quality as sleep apnea can cause various symptoms, such as loud lasting snoring, daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and even causes depression sometimes. By improving the quality of life, LAUP can help reduce these symptoms and allows one to feel well-rested and fresh throughout the day. Nonsurgical laser snoring treatments provide help to snorers and their family members as well.

Disadvantages of Sleep Apnea Laser Treatment: 

Here are some of the main disadvantages of LAUP laser treatment: (Sleep apnea laser treatment)

Limited Effectiveness: Nightlase can be a high success rate treatment for many individuals. Some of them may not experience a prominent improvement in their symptoms and sometimes may need additional treatments to get desired outcome results.

Short-term Results: In some cases, the result of the Nightlase laser surgery may not be long-term, and the individual may require additional treatments to maintain the improvement in his condition. 

Cost: Laser snoring treatment can be expensive and sometimes even health insurance does not cover the expenses. This can be a huge step back for those who are interested in the treatment but are unable to get the surgical laser treatment. 

Limited Availability: Surgical laser treatments are unavailable in all areas, and the patients may need to travel to faraway places to get the snoring treatment from a qualified doctor.

Risks and Side effects: While laser snoring treatment is considered safe, there are still some side effects and complications that one should consider before getting the treatment done. These side effects include complications such as sore throat, swelling, discomfort, change in voice due to obstruction, or difficulty swallowing while eating or drinking water.

Patients need to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of snoring treatment with their certified doctors to learn if this is the right choice for them.

How effective is LAUP?

Laser snoring treatments like Nightlase are known to be highly effective surgery options for many patients with sleep problems. Laup procedure is a non-surgical laser snoring procedure that targets the soft palate and other tissue in the throat to reduce snoring and improve sleep. 

Many studies have shown that nightlase surgical laser can provide significant relief for patients with sleep apnea, with many patients experiencing improved quality of sleep and reduced snoring. According to a study published in the well-known journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, This surgery effectively reduced snoring and improved sleep symptoms in up to 68% of patients.

In other publications/studies, it was found that this nightlase laser significantly reduced the severity of the mild to moderate range. It is also seen that after the treatments, there was a significant improvement in their quality of life and sleep quality.

While this treatment may not be recommended for some individuals, it has proven to provide significant results for many other patients. 

Laser dentistry: As Sleep apnea treatment

Laser dentistry is an innovative and non-invasive treatment technique used for sleep apnea. Laser dentistry involves the use of a laser to reshape the soft tissue in the mouth and throat, which can improve airflow and reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. This technique of dentistry laser technique is getting popular due to its effectiveness, minimum discomfort, and faster recovery time as compared to other traditional surgical laser treatments.

By reshaping the gum and the soft tissues in the mouth, possibly increase the airway flow and improvement in snoring, or laud snoring can get a relief by this technique.

Comparison of Sleep Apnea treatments to other treatments for sleep Apnea: 

Here’s a brief comparison of sleep apnea laser treatment with other available treatments options for it:

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): CPAP is one of the most common treatments for snoring nowadays. It involves using a machine that delivers some optimum set of air pressure through a mask from the nose and mouth. The air pressure keeps the airway open during sleep to avoid airway obstruction. This treatment is somehow effective, but CPAP may not be a suitable option for all patients.

Surgery: Surgical options for snoring, including assisted uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) involves the removal of excess soft tissues from the throat or the advancement of the jaw can be a part of the surgery to increase the size of the airway. While It can be effective, it is still an invasive option that will keep the patient hospitalized for a long recovery.

Oral appliances: These applications are custom-made devices worn in the mouth before sleeping to keep the airway open by pressing the soft tissues. These devices are recommended for those who cannot tolerate CPAP treatment and are going through mild to moderate level sleep apnea.

Keeping all options as comparison mentioned above, laser therapy is of them a non-invasive, comfortable, and convenient option. It does not require hospitalization or the removal of extra tissue, so the patient can go through their daily activities while still getting the required treatment. Additionally, laser therapy is well known for working effectively in reducing snoring and improving sleep. However, It may still not be the right choice for everyone.

Factors to consider before choosing Sleep Apnea laser treatment: 

Before choosing this treatment, Some common factors should be considered and kept in mind: They include:

The severity of sleep apnea: The laser treatment is only recommended and suitable for those with mild to moderate sleep apnea conditions. If your condition is severe and getting worse over the days, you may have to select other options, such as CPAP or surgery. 

Underlying Health Condition: Before going for laser treatment, it is important to consider any underlying health condition that could impact your ability to go for a surgical laser. For instance, Studies have shown that treatment may not be recommended if you suffer from a bleeding or autoimmune disorder.

Allergies or Sensitivities: Some individualsare allergic to a certain type of medication or material; it is important to discuss the problems related to allergies with your medical assistant or healthcare provider to learn if the treatment is safe before going for it.

Cost: Usually, medical insurance does not cover the treatment costs, so it is important to discuss it before treatment with the healthcare provider or insurance manager to know whether it is financially affordable.

Lifestyle: If you have a busy work schedule, you may consider laser treatment as it is more flexible and convenient than other treatments.

Expected Outcomes: Before you proceed with the treatment, Discuss all the possible side effects and potential risks, if any, related to the treatment and post-treatment with your healthcare provider.

Frequently asked questions,

Is Snoring related to sleep apnea?

Yes, snoring can possibly be related to symptoms of sleep apnea; if your snoring is loud and lasts while sleeping, then it must be associated with sleep apnea because snoring can be caused to obstructive airflow in the throat. If you’re among loud and persistent snorers, then you must need to get medical attention.

Is Laser snoring treatments a good option?

Laser snoring treatments are always considered a better option for individuals who suffer from snoring. Many Laser snoring treatments aim to reshape soft tissues with a specialized laser, which reduces the vibration and thus reduces the snoring. So snoring treatments are considered good options if snoring gets worse.

How many types of laser snoring treatments?

There are two types of laser snoring treatments.

What is the success rate of sleep apnea treatment?

The rate of sleep apnea success varies depending on the severity of the condition; CPAP success rate is 80%.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, apnea laser treatment, also known as nightlase treatment, is a non-invasive, flexible, safe, and medically effective treatment option for those experiencing mild to moderate level sleep apnea and snoring problem; in this treatment, there is no need for hospitalization, general anesthesia, and it also offers a high success rate in reducing the symptom of sleep snoring by reducing the airway obstruction. 

Sleep apnea treatment has many advantages, but it is also important to consider its disadvantages. Before proceeding with this treatment, one should also consider some main factors, such as the severity of the condition, underlying health conditions, allergies or sensitivities, and cost. It is also important to remember that this treatment may not be perfect for all patients, and alternative treatments may be considered for severe cases. 

This treatment is a good option for those seeking effective and non-invasive treatment. And it is important to discuss your condition with your health provider before moving forward.