About Somnoplasty
"Advanced Solution For Treatment Of Snoring And Sleep Apnea"

• FACTS

Snoring affects more than 20% of the general adult population and up to 60% of men over the age of 40. It is more common in men than women. The noise can be so loud that it is bothersome to the patient and others.

In obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, snoring may be the most obvious sign of a problem, but it is only the first clue to a much more serious disorder. The soft tissues of the upper airway (soft palate, uvula, tongue) cause complete obstruction of breathing during sleep; cessation of breathing for 10 seconds or more at least 5 times per hour of sleep. When breathing is completely obstructed, the body reacts by waking up enough to start breathing again. These arousals may occur hundreds of times each night, but do not fully awaken the patient, who remains unaware of the loud snoring, choking and gasping for air which is typical of the syndrome.

• EFFECTS

The severely fragmented sleep results in excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) which is much more severe than in habitual snoring. The episodes and gasping are especially frightening for the patient's bed partner, who may observe this on a nightly basis. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) occurs in about 4% of adult men and 2% of women.

A patient with sleep apnea also frequently complains of headaches, dry mouth and a sore throat in the morning, heart palpitations, memory problems, waking up many times per night to urinate, falling asleep while driving & in work places, and also of chronic fatigue. Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with increased risk of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, industrial and automobile accidents.

• LATEST TREATMENT: SOMNOPLASTY

Continued advancement in medical technology has contributed to yet another significant development for the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea. This latest procedure is known as "Somnoplasty". The procedure treats "snoring and obstructive sleep apnea" by shrinking soft tissues in the upper airway, including the base of tongue, the source of obstruction that is most difficult to treat.

The Somnoplasty System uses radio frequency (RF) energy to reduce and tighten excess tissue in the upper airway responsible for snoring and sleep apnea. Somnoplasty is a minimally-invasive, outpatient procedure. The procedure is performed in an accredited ambulatory surgical center, under either local anesthesia (with or without mild sedation) or general anesthesia depending upon the individual patient's condition.

The procedure creates finely controlled zones of coagulation at precise locations underneath the surface tissue in the upper airway. Over a period of three to eight weeks, the treated tissue is absorbed by the body, reducing excess tissue volume and opening the airway. A Somnoplasty procedure typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes, with only 5 to 10 minutes of actual RF energy delivery. Typically the procedure requires more than one treatment, usually three treatments. The number of treatments varies depending upon the individual patient and the necessity to achieve optimal results.

Most patients resume normal activities the following day, and take only a mild analgesic (such as Tylenol or Advil) for about 2 - 3 days. This is a significant improvement when compared to other procedures, which usually have a prolonged and painful recovery period.

The Somnoplasty System is also used for treating chronic nasal obstruction (enlarged turbinates).

Dr. Hayward Eubanks is one of the first physicians in the country to perform the Somnoplasty procedure for obstructive sleep apnea following its FDA clearance.

If you suffer from snoring or sleep apnea, please call and schedule a consultation to discuss how you can benefit from the latest Somnoplasty procedure.

(800) 796-2725 OR (323) 293-8575