Coblation process effective to treat snoring

Dr M Venkata Ratnam, an ENT specialist from Sai Krishna Hospital, elaborated on the many health hazards of snoring and the coblation technique on Sunday. “People who snore have greater levels of intima-media thickness than those who do not snore. Snoring with brief cessations in breathing and excessive sleep in daytime could cause sleep apnea, which might lead to high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke,” Ratnam said.

“Though adequate sleep is essential for the physical and emotional health, most of the people ignore sleep and sleep-related problems. Overweight, smoking and excessive intake of alcohol and caffeine may cause snoring, putting people at the risk of sleep apnea. Such conditions can be avoided with regular exercise and reducing the consumption of coffee, tea and aerated drinks with caffeine.

The incidence of snoring among children is also on the rise with the change in lifestyle. Nasal allergies and obesity are the primary reasons for the sleep problem among children in the age group of 12 to 17. Enlargement of adenoids or tonsils, obstructions in the nose, deviation of the nasal septum and sometimes other swellings in the airway cause OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) in children,” Ratnam added.

On coblation technology to treat snoring, he said, “It is an advanced procedure in the field of ENT. Using the technology, excess tissue from the air track, which is the cause of snoring and apnea, can be removed safely. Snoring can also be controlled through sleep study treatment. It can be done with minimal invasive examination of the airway using an endoscope. In some cases, more thorough investigations like CT or MRI scans are necessary. Snoring can be reduced to some extent through medicines. In case of severity, surgery is recommended to cure snoring.”