Snoring Treatment: The Pillar Procedure

One of the causes of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea may result from a relaxation of muscles at the back of your throat (soft palate) that blocks your airway when you sleep. When these muscle tissues relax enough that they vibrate, they cause snoring. They may even relax so much that the tissue blocks your airway passage, causing you to stop breathing or to breathe shallowly many times a night (obstructive sleep apnea.) Obstructive sleep apnea is one of three types of sleep apnea that can be potentially life threatening because during sleep, breathing repeatedly stops and starts, which can cause a drop in the amount of oxygen in your blood. Sleep apnea is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease and stroke.

The Pillar Procedure is a relatively new treatment that is available for the treatment of snoring and mild to moderate symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. It is usually performed in a doctor’s office. It’s a surgical procedure that takes about fifteen minutes and is done under local anesthesia. During the pillar procedure, three small polyester rods are implanted in the soft palate of the patient’s throat. The inserts lend more support to the soft palate, and over time the body’s scarring response causes the tissue to harden and bind with the implants, slightly stiffening the soft palate to keep it from totally relaxing when you sleep.

Many patients of Eos Sleep have realized successful treatment through the Pillar Procedure for their snoring and obstructive sleep apnea symptoms.

Find out if the Pillar Procedure or another snoring or sleep apnea treatment would be right for you. If you’re in the Manhattan area, schedule your appointment for an examination at Eos Sleep today!