Many San Francisco residents snore, like so many other people across the world. However, if you (or your partner) are heavy snorers, it may be more than just getting old or being a little overweight. It could be that you are suffering from sleep apnea, and you may require snoring surgery in San Francisco.
Then again, it is possible that you may not need snoring surgery in San Francisco because the answer may be something as simple as an oral device or going on a diet and losing some weight. However, if you are a loud snorer, or your partner is, then you should certainly have the issue checked by a qualified surgeon because sleep apnea can lead to other issues, such as hypertension which can lead to heart disease, breathing problems, memory loss, fatigue during the day and an inability to concentrate, and impotence.
Sleep apnea is more likely to occur in men, although women may snore more after the menopause. It is also more likely if you have a family history of snoring or use alcohol and/or sedatives. Other risk factors include nasal congestion, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, and being overweight – the latter of which applies to quite a large percentage of the population.
Surgery Is Often An Out-Patient Procedure
Snoring surgery in San Francisco – orthognathic surgery to reposition the jaws – is often an outpatient procedure which can be done under a local anesthetic. At our office at Oral Surgery San Francisco in Sacramento Street, our Dr Alex Rabinovich is an expert in maxillofacial and orthognathic surgery. He will undertake a full examination of your face and jaws and take X-rays, and discuss with you the issues that you are facing. He will evaluate your particular situation and then devise a treatment plan especially for you. As mentioned, this could be as simple as a weight loss plan or the use of an oral device.
If you require further investigation, Dr Rabinovich partners with local sleep experts in San Francisco in order to optimize patient care. Areas of investigation include difficulty with nasal air intake, chronic snoring, loss of memory, tiredness during the day, your partner’s intolerance of your snoring, and also your partner witnessing you ceasing breathing for long periods up to 30 seconds: this can occur as much as 400 times in a night and may lower the oxygen levels in your blood and lead to a build-up of carbon dioxide.
If you think that you may be suffering from sleep apnea, the first step is to arrange an appointment with Dr Rabinovich. This appointment is entirely free of charge and you can make one by clicking on the Contact Us link at the top of the page.