Opening the Airway for Better Sleep
Sleep apnea and/or snoring affect millions of Americans. In addition to oral appliance or CPAP therapy, NightLase laser therapy is a remarkable leading-edge, noninvasive procedure that is designed to open up the airway and facilitate a reduction in snoring and a lower risk of apneas. Unlike a CPAP or oral appliance, Nightlase® also allows you to breathe better during the day, leading to less fatigue and often contributes to other benefits, such as weight loss.
What Is NightLase?
Nightlase® laser therapy is a non-surgical laser treatment that uses Erbium Yag laser energy to non-surgically shrink and rejuvenate the soft palate, uvula and other tissues that, if enlarged or flaccid, are the most common causes of snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
How Does NightLase® Work?
NightLase® is non-invasive and uses a laser to stimulate collagen contraction in the tissues of the upper airway. It works by using laser energy to heat the tissues of the airway causing a tightening effect of the tissue at the back of the throat that causes snoring, and helps to keep your airway open.
What Are The Benefits of NightLase®:
Nightlase offers multiple benefits for patients who snore or have sleep apnea and require an additional adjunctive therapy. The most significant advantages include:
- Improved quality of sleep
- Less fatigue
- Improved oxygenation during the day
- Adjunctive therapy for CPAP or Oral Appliance users who aren’t reaching their full potential
- High rate of success for reducing snoring
- Ability to sleep with your partner again
- A good night’s rest for all
What Results Should I Expect From a NightLase® Treatment?
The results are long lasting.
Nightlase® results can last up to a year. To maintain your results, yearly touch-up appointments are recommended. In addition, if your partner notices that your snoring has worsened, it might be time to schedule another NightLase® session.
NightLase® doesn’t replace traditional sleep apnea treatments.
Nightlase® reduces snoring in patients with and without sleep apnea. More than half of patients who receive the Nightlase® treatments notice that the quality of their sleep improves. However, NightLase® isn’t a “cure” for sleep apnea, and you will still need to wear an oral appliance to treat the condition.
Ongoing monitoring is important.
Anyone who snores or has sleep apnea should always pay attention to their sleep habits and report to us if they start to see a decrease in the quality of their sleep. It may be time for a touch-up session to get you back on track.
Who Is a Candidate for NightLase® Therapy?
From simple snoring to sleep apnea, most patients qualify for NightLase® treatment. Having Nightlase® treatments in combination with an oral appliance or CPAP can significantly improve your sleep apnea. It can also be used as a combination therapy for patients with severe sleep apnea who use a CPAP, as it typically lessens the severity of the condition to the point where it may be possible to use an oral appliance instead of the CPAP.
What Happens During my NightLase® Treatment?
Nightlase® is about a 15 minute procedure, during which you can expect to experience a warm and tingling sensation in your throat. It might be compared to having a fine mist of hot water sprayed in the area. No anesthetic is required, and there is no downtime after the procedure. Most patients don’t experience any side effects, but a few report a slightly scratchy throat for a day. In order to receive the best possible results, a series of treatments, usually 3-5, is recommended.
How Do I Maintain My NightLase® Results?
To maintain your Nightlase® results, single yearly touchup appointments are recommended. Collagen in our bodies continually breaks down over time, so a boost is needed to tighten it back up again.
What Can I Do at Home to Help Me Stop Snoring?
- Lose weight – Losing weight can reduce fatty tissue in the back of the throat and decrease or even stop snoring.
- Exercise – Working out to tone your arms, legs, and abs, for example, also leads to toning the muscles in your throat, which can lead to less snoring.
- Quit smoking – If you smoke, your chances of snoring are high. Smoking causes airways to be blocked by irritating the membranes in the nose and throat.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine for at least four hours and heavy meals or snacks for three hours before going to sleep.
- Avoid tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and antihistamines before bedtime.
- Sleep on your side rather than your back.
- Elevate the head of your bed four inches.
GET BETTER SLEEP TODAY
Your good night’s sleep is waiting! Book an appointment today and we’ll help you get back to better sleep habits.
