Do your loved ones complain about your nighttime symphony? Snoring affects approximately 45% of all adults, statistically more men than women. It annoys bedmates and can be a sign of nighttime breathing difficulties or sleep apnea.

If you regularly snore, you may be looking for a solution for a better night’s sleep, both for you and those sleeping nearby. Can rhinoplasty treat a snoring problem?

The Causes of Snoring

Snoring is a type of noisy breathing that occurs during sleep. It happens when air rushes past the relaxed tissues in the throat, causing them to vibrate. This vibration creates the raspy, grumbling sounds that we all call a snore. Occasional snoring isn’t anything to be concerned about. It can occur when the nose is stuffed up from sickness or if too much alcohol is consumed before bed, but regular snoring may be a sign of a problem.

Snoring can be caused by many factors, but most are airway related. The shape of your mouth or palate can lead to snoring. Patients with a narrow airway are more likely to snore. Nasal problems including blockages, congestion, or a deviated septum may increase snoring. Alcohol consumption or sleep deprivation can cause tissues in the throat to relax more, increasing vibrations and the potential for snoring. Sleep positioning also plays a role.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Many patients that snore regularly have sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), one of the most common types of apnea, is caused when the muscles in the throat relax, blocking the airway. Snoring is a sign of this potentially serious condition as-is:

• Gasping for air during sleep
• Difficulty staying asleep
• Frequent headaches
• Excessive sleepiness
• Dry mouth
• Irritability

Sleep apnea can be serious. Talk with your doctor if you’re experiencing signs of OSA.

Will Rhinoplasty Treat My Snoring?

Rhinoplasty, commonly called a nose job, is a surgical procedure that alters the appearance, structure, and function of the nose. Most of our patients choose rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons, but this procedure also has functional and medical benefits.

Functional rhinoplasty can improve and open the airway, removing obstructions and making it easier to breathe effectively. Since many of the causes of snoring are airway related, improving the airway can dramatically decrease its occurrence. Some of our patients no longer experience snoring after rhinoplasty surgery.

Rhinoplasty can correct many airway problems, but its impact on your snoring will depend on the causes of your snoring. If you snore and wonder if rhinoplasty will help, schedule a consultation with Dr. Singleton. After an examination, he can help you determine if rhinoplasty will improve your nighttime breathing.

Dr. Singleton is a skilled rhinoplasty surgeon, having performed many successful procedures on his patients in Washington, D.C. He knows how to address common airway obstructions including enlarged turbinates and deviated septum. He can pair functional nasal correction with cosmetic rhinoplasty if desired. He also offers revision rhinoplasty, a corrective procedure for patients experiencing problems, including breathing difficulties and snoring, after an initial rhinoplasty.