Choose the content to read

• Why NightLase laser snoring treatment?
• Who is a suitable candidate for NightLase?
• What is the diagnosis before laser snoring treatment?
• What is a laser snoring treatment procedure?
• What is the side effect of laser snoring treatment?
• What is the benefit of NightLase laser snoring treatment?
• STOP-Bang Questionnaire Assessment

Laser Snoring Treatment

Laser snoring treatment is one of the snoring treatment methods using a cutting-edge, non-invasive Erbium-YAG laser to tighten oral cavity tissue, including the soft palate, buccal mucosa, uvula, and base of the tongue, by generating heat to stimulate collagen production to tighten up sagging tissue obstructing the airway. The airway is therefore opened wider, making breathing easier, reducing snoring, and lessening the severity of obstructive sleep apnea. Laser snoring treatment is very convenient, requires no surgery, and is pain-free. The treatment takes approximately 30 minutes without the need to stay overnight at the hospital, and patients can return home immediately after finishing the treatment.

Why NightLase laser snoring treatment?

NightLase laser snoring treatment is a non-invasive solution for common snoring and mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The patented Er: YAG laser is highly effective, requires no surgery, is painless, and does not introduce implantable medical devices into the body. NightLase laser snoring treatment takes only 30 minutes, and the results can be seen the night after surgery, including less snoring, a decrease in snoring amplitude, a feeling of refreshment when waking up in the morning and maintaining romantic relationships between the couples.

What are the side effects of snoring?

Snoring affects partners or couples who sleep close together, including family members. Snoring can cause stress, worsen romantic relationships, and lead to many health issues, including the following:

• Lack of concentration and easily forgetful
• Sleep deprivation, waking up feeling unrefreshed
• Daytime drowsiness
• Morning headaches
• Increases the risk of an accident while driving due to fatigue.
• Erectile dysfunction
• Depression
• Hypertension
• Cardiovascular disease
• Common symptoms of those with a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction) and stroke

Who is a suitable candidate for NightLase?

• Those who snore frequently and loudly, as well as those who want to stop snoring or reduce snoring sound.
• Those whose sleep test results show mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
• Those who snore due to mildly to moderately soft palate tissue relaxation, causing narrowed airway and blockage based on a doctor's evaluation
• Those whose doctor recommends treating obstructive sleep apnea with laser snoring treatment in conjunction with CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and/or other treatments.

Who is not a suitable candidate for NightLase?

• Those with at least 50% enlarged tonsils.
• Those with a large tongue that relaxes and blocks the airway while sleeping.
• Those with relaxed throat tissue from behind the soft palate to the larynx that the laser cannot reach.
• Those with underlying diseases such as chronic allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, allergies, upper respiratory tract tumors, or obesity.
• Those with anatomical abnormalities, such as a crooked nose, a short chin, or a long uvula.

What is the diagnosis before laser snoring treatment?

Sleep specialists and/or otolaryngologists will diagnose snoring and obstructive sleep apnea by taking a history, asking about symptoms, and performing an initial physical examination, including specialized exams, as follows:

Medical history

• Underlying diseases and current medications.
• Inquiring spouse or partner if they experience loud snoring, irregular breathing, mouth breathing, choking during sleeping, wheezing, sleep apnea, awakening, and gasping for air, including sleeping position that makes snoring sound louder.
• Wake up and feel unrefreshed, daytime sleepy, memory and concentration problems.

Specialized exams

Sleep test (polysomnography) to look for abnormalities in the various bodily functions during sleep, such as snoring and obstructive sleep apnea or other abnormalities, to assess the severity of symptoms and lead to a targeted treatment plan.

Imaging tests

Imaging tests such as CT scans or MRIs are used in those suspected of having anatomical abnormalities including the upper respiratory tract, nose, throat muscles, uvula, neck circumference, chin, and facial structure.

What is a laser snoring treatment procedure?

Laser snoring treatment at MedPark Hospital uses the patented NightLase Er: YAG laser, a safely high-performance, international standard Erbium laser performed by trained doctors to treat snoring and obstructive apnea, considering the utmost safety and success of treatment outcomes as a top priority in order to reduce the patient's snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Photo from: www.fotona.com

Pre-operative NightLase laser snoring treatment

• The doctor tailors a personalized treatment plan based on a sleep test, CT scan, or MRI results.
• Protect yourself from mouth ulcers, flu, oral diseases, or respiratory diseases on the day of coming in for laser treatment.
• Water and food can be consumed without restriction before treatment.
• Before the treatment, the medical staff will assist you in practicing breathing through the mouth and nose while opening the mouth.

During NightLase laser snoring treatment

• The clinical staff takes pictures of the oral cavity, including oral structures, to identify the region that causes snoring.
• The doctor determines the targeted laser treatment regions without sedation, general anesthesia, or chemical drugs.
• The doctor will treat snoring using NightLase Erbium-YAG laser in smooth mode to the targeted region such as throat tissue, anterior tonsil pillar, posterior tonsil pillar, soft palate, buccal mucosa, uvula, or the base of the tongue to generate heat and stimulate collagen production, shrinking and tightening sagging tissue. NightLase helps open the airways wider and makes breathing easier. Patients who receive the treatment can have a shorter snoring period, lower snoring amplitude, and a reduction in the severity and risks of obstructive sleep apnea. The patient will feel warm in the mouth during the laser snoring treatment.
• The doctor will allow the patient to rest their jaw from opening for a while by allowing them to relax and sip water intermittently to avoid dry throat and dry mouth before continuing the treatment until finishing the session. The treatment will typically take approximately 30 minutes.

Post-operative NightLase laser snoring treatment

• Drink a glass of room-temperature water immediately after each treatment session.
• To achieve the best treatment results, the doctor will schedule an appointment to repeat the laser for approximately 3 sessions, 2–6 weeks after the first session.
• Refrain from eating spicy, hot, or cold foods for 1 week.
• Patients are advised to attend all scheduled doctor's appointments in order to continue treatment and achieve a long-term treatment result.

What is laser snoring treatment aftercare?

• Lose weight to reduce fat accumulation at the back of the neck.
• Exercise regularly to control weight and tighten the neck muscles.
• Quit smoking; cigarette smoke can irritate the nasal and throat linings, causing airway blockage.
• Avoid consuming alcohol and caffeine, including energy drinks, for at least 4 hours before bedtime.
• Eat dinner at least 4 hours before bedtime.
• Avoid taking sleeping pills, sedatives, or antihistamines before bedtime.
• Instead of sleeping supine, try a side-sleeping position with a 4-inch-high pillow on the mattress.

What is the side effect of laser snoring treatment?

Laser snoring treatment is a safe treatment without any serious side effects. Patients can talk, eat, and drink normally after the treatment, as advised by the doctor. However, some rare patients may experience sore throats or dry throats the next day after treatment and canker sores. Drinking adequate amounts of water will help symptoms gradually improve and disappear. In some cases, there may be unusual sensations in the mouth. These symptoms are temporary and will gradually improve within 1 week.

How long does laser snoring treatment take?

Laser snoring treatment takes approximately 30 minutes per session. The doctor will schedule 3 appointments: the second is 2 weeks after the first, and the third is 4 weeks after the second, for a total of approximately 6 weeks. The treatment results can last up to a year or more. In some cases, the procedure may need to be repeated as the body's collagen levels decrease with age.

What is the success rate of laser snoring treatment?

According to the results of a survey of patients who had NightLase laser snoring treatment three years later, 85% remain very satisfied with the results; snoring is greatly reduced, the snoring sound has apparently attenuated, choking during sleep has significantly decreased, and dry mouth and dry throat in the morning have also subsided. The same survey also revealed that 72% of patients who received NightLase 24 months later had stable treatment outcomes.

What is the benefit of NightLase laser snoring treatment?

• No surgery: NightLase is a laser snoring treatment that does not require surgery or open wound, including the use of sedation, or anesthesia, and there are no implantable medical devices embedded in the body and there is no overnight stay at the hospital.
• Fast: NightLase laser snoring treatment takes only 30 minutes per session, three sessions over six weeks as an outpatient treatment with no overnight stay at the hospital, and the patient can return home once the treatment is completed.
• Safe: NightLase laser snoring treatment uses an FDA-approved Erbium-YAG laser, which is certified safe, reduces side effects, minimizes trauma to surrounding tissues, and promotes a quick recovery.
• Effective: NightLase laser snoring treatment yields quick results, including decreased snoring and attenuated snoring sound, making breathing easier while sleeping, particularly after 3 laser sessions in which the skin is fully stimulated with collagen.
• Painless: The NightLase laser snoring treatment is a painless procedure that has no serious side effects. The treatment may cause a dry mouth or slightly dry throat. However, drinking plenty of water after the treatment will gradually reduce the symptoms.
• Improve an erection: In males, obstructive sleep apnea prevents the body from receiving adequate oxygen while sleeping, resulting in fatigue, and affecting penile erection and sexual performance. NightLase snoring laser treatment widens the airway, allows the body to receive full oxygen while sleeping, and enables the penis to fully erect and be ready for sexual activity.
• Save relationships: The sound of loud snoring all night long directly impacts couples' relationships and causes stress. NightLase laser snoring treatment effectively reduces snoring amplitude, allowing couples to sleep closely without disturbing one another and promoting long-term relationship stability.

NightLase Laser Snoring Treatment at MedPark Hospital

Dermatology and Aesthetic Clinic, Hair Center, MedPark Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand is led by a team of experienced doctors and dermatologic surgeons who are ready to diagnose and treat all types of skin diseases, snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with surgical and non-surgical methods using NightLase snoring laser along with other state-of-the-art medical technology and FDA-approved medical devices with international safety standards integrated with advanced specialized surgical techniques, ensuring fast and accurate treatment for snoring or mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea while providing post-treatment follow-up and evaluation, preserving a long-term treatment result of reduced snoring, allowing patients to feel refreshed when waking up in the morning, and enabling good physical and mental health.