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DAILY EXPRESS
Short cut to sweet dreams |
Thousands endure restless nights because of their partner's snoring.
Two snorers tell KATE BOHDANOWICS and FIONA DUFFY how revolutionary treatments
have made their night's sleep a much more peaceful affair..
lmost a third of men and one woman in 10 snore and it is a problem that increases
with age. By the age of 60, snoring affects 50 per cent of men and 30 per cent of
women. |
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There are three types of snoring. Nasal snoring occurs when the airways are
congested and produces whistling through the nostrils.
Tongue snoring is caused by restricted space behind the tongue and results in
heavy breathing. A large tongue (possibly from being overweight) can be a cause
and it gets worse if the person has been drinking alcohol because the muscle in
the tongue relax.
The loudest and most problematic type is uvula (the fleshy piece of skin that
hangs at the back of the throat) snoring. An obstruction behind the soft palate
makes the uvula vibrate when you're inhaling and produces a snorting "pig-like"
sound.
MY TONGUE WAS TOO BIG FOR MY
MOUTH
ROBERT OSMOND, 32, a picture editor, lives with his girlfriend, Ann Jackson, 27,
a production manager in Bexleyheath, Kent. He has laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty
to reduce his snoring.
MY SNORING has been an issue since I was a child. I've lost count of the amount
of times I've shared a room with someone, only to find out they've moved out
during the night.
The consultant told me my snoring was 55 per cent uvula, 30 per cent tongue
and 15% per cent nasal. Apparently my tongue is too big for my head. Even if I
lost weight, it wouldn't make much difference. For every kilogram you lose, you
lose just a gram off your tongue.
When I arrived, Professor Yves Kamami, who invented the procedure, quickly
put me at ease. He used acupuncture to stop the gag reflex kicking in when he
put the laser pen in my mouth. I had needles in both ears and my chin, which made
me feel a little numb.
He then injected local anaesthetic in and around my soft palate and used a laser
pen to vaporise my uvula. He went into my mouth for a few seconds 10 or 15 times,
and my uvula was completely lasered off. There was no blood and it didn't hurt.
It took about 20 minutes.
When he finished the procedure, the nurse talked me through my aftercare which
included not eating spicy food and avoiding alcohol for a fortnight. I was also
prescribed 10 days worth of anti-inflammatory tablets. The first three days were
relatively pain-free but the next five were quite uncomfortable. I couldn't swallow
and had a stinging, dry throat, although this wore off after three days.
I was told to expect a 55 per cent improvement but from day one Ann says it was
more like 70 per cent. I'm really pleased.
Ann says: Sharing a room with Robert was like sleeping beside a revving motorbike.
Most nights I'd move into the spare room. I'm absolutely delighted with the result.
The whole vibrating, snorting noise has gone. I've had the best week's sleep in
ages and I feel much more active during the day.
Robert had his treatment at The Private Clinic, 98 Harley Street, London.
The procedure is also on offer at the clinic on Oxford Street, Manchester
More than one treatment might be needed.
To make an appointment call 0800 599 9911
or fill this form
To request a brochure click here
ADDRESS
98 Harley Street, London W1G 7HZ
Nearest Underground stations are: Regent's Park, Oxford Circus, Baker Street and Great
Portland Street
Location map
St.James's Building, 79 Oxford Street, Manchester M1 6EJ
Nearest British Rail Station: Oxford Road
Location map
FAX: London Fax: 020 7409 7854 - Manchester Fax: 0161 236 5094
EMAIL: data@theprivateclinic.co.uk
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