Ent and Allergy Specialists

  Chronic snoring may seem harmless, but it can cause serious physical and emotional complications for both snorers and those who sleep with them. Vibrating tissue in the soft palate is believed to play a major role in most cases of chronic snoring. The Pillar® Procedure, which is manufactured by Medtronic, Inc., is a simple, minimally invasive way to effectively treat snoring , as well as mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea , by stiffening the soft palate. The procedure is not recommended for patients with severe sleep apnea or for those who are overweight. Benefits of the Pillar Procedure The Pillar Procedure is an effective treatment for snoring and mild sleep apnea. Patients who have undergone the Pillar Procedure report a significant decrease in snoring. The procedure itself is minimally invasive and can be performed in a single doctor’s visit. After the procedure, discomfort is minimal, and the patient’s usual diet and activities can be resumed on the same day. The Pillar Pr

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that occurs when your breathing repeatedly stops and starts up again. A potentially serious condition, sleep apnea has three main types: Obstructive sleep apnea. This happens when something partially or totally blocks your upper airway as you sleep. It makes your diaphragm and chest muscles work overtime to open the blocked airway and bring air into your lungs. You are breathing then typically resumes with a snort or loud gasp. Central sleep apnea. In this type of sleep apnea, your braindoes not send the right signals to the muscles that control how you breathe. Complex sleep apnea. Also referred to as mixed sleep apnea, complex sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea. Some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea include: Sudden awakenings with shortness of breath (more common in central sleep apnea) Loud snoring, a symptom more typical in patients with obstructive sleep apnea Intermittent pauses in breathing as you slee