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Snoring & Blocked Nose

How much does the snoring operation cost?

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It has been reported that there are over 15 million snorers in the UK making it a very common complaint although it should not be considered as normal. Sometimes those who regular snore can experience pauses in breathing whilst they sleep which is known as obstructive sleep apnoea. Snoring can also come with a number of other health implicants such as putting you at a higher risk of heart disease and having a stroke. So, it is no wonder that the snoring treatment market is saturated with a large number of miracle cures to help.

How to stop snoring?

There are a number of things you can do yourself at home to help reduce snoring which includes:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Sleeping on your side
  • Avoiding caffeine and dairy before bed
  • Reduce alcohol and smoking consumption
  • Set yourself consistent sleep routine

View our 7 ways to stop snoring blog to find out more information on our top tips to stop snoring.

Treating snoring can be challenging and when trying to reduce the risk of sleep apnoea too, the best option is often to seek professional help to ensure that you are safe and going to get the best results.

At The Private Clinic we offer a revolutionary snoring surgery procedure known as LAUP (Laser Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty) which offers great success for many of our patients.

What is the snoring surgery procedure?

Laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is a snoring treatment procedure that is performed under local anaesthetic in-clinic. The procedure involves using a laser to remove the edges of the soft palate and uvula to reduce the size and remove excess tissue from the throat. This helps to increase the size of the airways which will aid breathing whilst you are sleeping.

LAUP surgery is a very precise and tissue damage is minimal which makes is a much safer and more comfortable procedure compared to uvulopalatoplasty (UPPP) surgery.

How successful is snoring surgery?

Our LAUP snoring surgery is performed by Consultant ENT Surgeon, Professor Yves Kamami, who is the inventor of the LAUP (Laser Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty) procedure. Over 40,000 LAUP procedures have been performed in the UK and is often featured in media such as The Times.

Many patients find that their snoring is reduced immediately following the procedure, but we recommend that you allow a healing period which can take up to 6 weeks. Unlike UPPP procedures, LAUP can be performed more than once to help patients get the best results.

How much is snoring surgery?

A consultation with our Ears Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon is £100.

Prices for our snoring treatments start from £1,980, depending on the type of treatment.

Is snoring surgery covered by insurance?

Generally, snoring surgery is not considered a medical problem and surgery to treat it is often classed as cosmetic, so it is not often covered by insurance.

At The Private Clinic we offer self-pay snoring surgery treatments to help improve your quality of sleep, allow you to breath easier and stop snoring. We also offer a selection of finance packages to suit all budgets.

Snoring surgery at The Private Clinic

The Private Clinic prides itself on ensuring you have the best quality and most comprehensive care:

  • Consultation with a Consultant ENT Surgeon.
  • Minimally invasive snoring procedure.
  • No general anaesthetic needed, and no hospital stay.
  • Treatment takes just 15 minutes under local anaesthetic
  • Minimum downtime, normal activity can be resumed quickly
  • 24-hour patient helpline to ensure you are always in the best of hands.
  • As many post-operative care and appointments with your surgeon, doctor and nursing team as required.
  • One-year cover for all surgical, hospital and nursing care, in case of any medical issue giving you peace of mind*.
  • Comprehensive patient information, every step of the way
  • Outstanding clinic facilities.
  • Competitively priced for our expertise and experience.
  • With over 35 years’ experience of Cosmetic medical Excellence, you are in safe hands.
  • Our excellent reputation for patient safety and satisfaction, honest advice and outstanding care means your journey with The Private Clinic will be an exciting experience.

Consultations and treatment for snoring take place at our London Harley Street clinic.

To find out more or to book a consultation please call 0333 920 2471 or use our snoring treatment online contact form.

7 ways to stop snoring

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It is estimated that between 19% and 40% of adults snore when they sleep – whether they are aware of it or not.

Snoring can be disruptive for the sufferer often causing them disturbed sleep, tiredness during the day, headaches in the morning and sore throat upon awakening. It can also cause a strain on any relationships if the snoring disrupts your partners sleep too.

laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty LAUP surgery stop snoring

There are many tweaks and changes you can make to your lifestyle than can help to reduce snoring which includes:

Get a better sleep

If you are overtired, then you are more likely to breath harder which can cause your throat muscles to relax more. You are also more likely to sleep with your mouth open which will then eventually lead to snoring. We recommend taking a look at your sleep routine and your sleeping environment to ensure it is the best that it can be.

Reducing alcohol, smoking and caffeine consumption

Alcohol is a big cause of snoring as it relaxes the throat muscles which greatly increases your risk of snoring. Smoking and caffeine can also irritate and inflame your throat which can cause snoring, so we recommend avoiding these later in the day.

Be at a healthy weight

If you are overweight, then this is only going to put you at a higher risk of snoring. This is due to extra tissue being present in your throat that can contribute to snoring more so than someone who is not overweight. We recommend keeping at a healthy weight and in many cases, this may be all it takes to greatly reduce their snoring.

Avoid dairy before bed

A cup of tea before bed is often part of many people’s evening routines but just like caffeine, the dairy in milk can also irritate the throat lining so it may be worth swapping to an herbal tea alternative to see if there’s an improvement.

Sleep on your side

The majority of people that snore, sleep on their backs so we would encourage you to try sleeping on your side to see if this reduces your snoring. You can purchase special pillows and supports to help you feel more comfortable in this position.

Try mouth exercises

The National Sleep Foundation have recommended a series of mouth exercises that they have found, when practiced for 30 minutes a day can help to reduce the severity of sleep apnea, improve sleep, and ease snoring.

These exercises include:

  • Pushing the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth and sliding the tongue backwards. Repeat this 20 times.
  • Sucking your tongue upwards so that the entire tongue lies against the roof of your mouth. Repeat this 20 times.
  • Forcing the back of your tongue downwards against the floor of your mouth while keeping the tip of your tongue in contact with your bottom front teeth.

To find out more visit The National Sleep Foundation’s website here

Get treatment

Lastly, if you are struggling with snoring and the side effects then it may be worth seeking professional advice. At The Private Clinic we have Consultant ENT Surgeon, Professor Yves Kamami who is the inventor of the LAUP (Laser Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty).

15 minutes stop snoring solution

Laser Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed in our London Harley Street clinic. The treatment can take as little as 15 minutes and is performed under local anaesthetic. The treatment uses laser technology to reduce the size of the uvula and remove any excess tissue from the throat. Doing this increases the size of the airways which will help you to breathe more easily when you are sleeping.

The LAUP laser is very precise so there is minimal tissue damage making it a much safer and more comfortable alternative to uvulopalatoplasty (UPPP) surgery or snoring surgery.

To find out more about snoring treatment or to book a consultation please call, 0333 920 2471 or use our snoring online contact form.

Snoring: At what age does snoring start?

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There are reported to be over 15 million snorers in the UK and that the noise of a really rasping snore can register 69 decibels, in comparison a pneumatic drill is 70-90 decibels. But when does snoring really start?

What age does snoring start?

Snoring can start at any age but is more common and often gets worse as you age which is often due to weight gain and decreased muscle tone.

What causes snoring?LAUP surgery stop snoring laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty

There are lots of reasons why you may snore. Essentially the reason why you are snoring is because the reflexes that keep your throat opens, relax as you sleep. The sound of snoring is just the vibration in your throat as air is being forced through a narrower space.

Common causes of snoring include being overweight, alcohol, sleeping pills, smoking, sleeping on your back, allergies, nasal congestion, enlarged uvula, collapsing nostrils or your tongue causing an obstruction.

Why does snoring get worse as we get older?

As we age, the areas that we gain weight changes slightly and you may notice that you gain weight around the neck which results in the throat space becoming narrower. The menopause and hormonal changes can also cause this weight gain.

How do I stop snoring?

There are so many remedies, devices and over the counter products that claim to stop snoring. Nasal strips, sprays, humidifiers and snoring pillows may provide a temporarily relief as they will make it easier for you to breathe but they are not really fixing the bigger issue.

For some, you may be recommended by your doctor to lose weight, change your sleeping position or avoid alcohol which could all be big factors to the cause of your snoring. If you are not overweight however and do not consume high levels of alcohol then your snoring may be caused instead by a blocked nose or enlarged uvula for which, The Private Clinic has a range of treatments for.

What are the alternatives to stop snoring?

At The Private Clinic we offer a non-invasive laser and radio frequency procedure to help tackle the common causes of snoring including blocked noses and the excess vibration of the soft palate and uvula. Our Consultant ENT Surgeon and Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Specialist, Professor Yves Kamami GMC Number: 4145471, is the inventor of the LAUP (Laser Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty) procedure and has performed over 40,000 LAUP procedures in the UK.

When you come for a consultation, Professor Yves Kamami will assess you to work out what the real cause of your snoring may be. We then have three different treatments available that will hopefully put an end to your snoring.soft palate snoring cures stop snoring london

Unblocking the nose

For patients who are suffering with a stuffy or blocked nose then a minimally invasive laser treatment performed under local anaesthetic can be carried out. The treatment aims to reduce the large fleshy ridges at the entrance of your sinuses. If your blocked nose is caused by a deviated septum however then a rhinoplasty procedure would be more appropriate to give you the best results.

Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP)

Our LAUP procedure is also performed under local anaesthetic and it uses a laser to essentially remodel the excess of soft tissue that vibrates at the back of your throat. Doing this, frees up your airways which increases your oxygen supply. This is the most popular snoring treatment.

Bipolar Radiofrequency Thermotherapy (RFITT)

This treatment instead uses radio frequency to tighten the muscle within the soft palate to reduce it vibrating so much whilst you sleep. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and the best results are noticed around 6 months after the treatment.

Snoring treatment at The Private Clinic

The Private Clinic prides itself on ensuring you have the best quality and most comprehensive care:

  • Consultation with a Consultant ENT Surgeon.
  • 24 hour patient helpline to ensure you are always in the best of hands.
  • As many post-operative care and appointments with your surgeon, doctor and nursing team as required.
  • One year cover for all surgical, hospital and nursing care, in case of any medical issue giving you peace of mind*.
  • Comprehensive patient information, every step of the way
  • Outstanding clinic facilities.
  • Competitively priced for our expertise and experience.
  • With over 35 years’ experience of Cosmetic medical Excellence, you are in safe hands.
  • Our excellent reputation for patient safety and satisfaction, honest advice and outstanding care means your journey with The Private Clinic will be an exciting experience.

To find out more or to book a consultation please call 0333 920 2471 or use our snoring treatment online contact form.

Snoring, an issue for many both men and women.

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Males are not the only ones struggling with snoring conditions, a recent study by the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital revealed that almost a 30% of the population of young women within the ages of 25-34 suffer from it too.

There has been recently a rise in women suffering from snoring issue, in fact a study cites that young women have been found to be more irritating snorers compared to their male counterparts.

This is why women are more than ever are becoming more aware of the snoring treatments available and are seeking long-term results.

Snoring is considered a form of sleep apnoea, which causes people to stop breathing for a few seconds or even several minutes within the hour. Snoring not only can disrupt your night sleep, it can also lead to severe health conditions usually related to signs of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) such as memory loss and can even affect relationships.

So what are the reasons why people snore?

Even though everyone’s reasons are different, the most common ones are:

– Sleeping on your back could be one of the main reasons causing snoring issues, this sleeping posture induces the tongue to roll over blocking the airway.

– Having a blocked nose or suffering from a deviated septum can also contribute to snoring as the air doesn’t flow correctly through the airway.

– Being overweight. As obesity rates are continuously raising there has been a link among overweight patients and snoring issues.

However, we must be careful as generalisations cannot be made as there are many different potential causes and effects to this issue.

How to tackle the condition?

There are many snoring treatments available out there, including over-the-counter-snoring cures many with disappointing results.

The truth is that there is no specific “cure” for snoring.  Snoring is essentially generated by the lack of air which travels through the air paths so there are different ways to treat it.

The areas that create the noise are the tongue, nose and throat.

There are three types of snoring treatments available that tackle the different areas:

– The LAUP stands for Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty, this procedure targets the noise generated from the nose and throat. The procedure reduces the tissue in the throat as well as the size of the uvula, meaning the chance of blocking the airway whilst sleeping is minimised. The procedure involves the reducing or treating the uvula on the back of the throat which enables the air to go pass that airway freely. This technique is ideal for patients who suffer from enlarged uvulas

– Bipolar Radiofrequency Thermotherapy (RFITT) – This fast and efficient treatment utilises radio frequency in order to tighten the muscle present on the soft palate reducing its vibration while sleeping. The procedure entails targeting the back of the throat with a slim pen which emits a high frequency, all under local anaesthetic. The best results are usually more prominent around 6 months post treatment. Eve

– Laser Assisted partial turbinectomy the procedure involves the use of a CO2 laser to create an improved air path on the nose. This technique is used in patients who suffer from enlarged nasal turbinate’s.

The combination of the LAUP and Laser Assisted partial turbinectomy treatments can tackle the louder and more disruptive snoring noises.

The Private Clinic Snoring Treatments.

At The Private Clinic for over 30 years we have been assisting many people who deal with snoring and sleeping issues.

The Private Clinic offers the latest treatments to treat snoring issues, including non-invasive laser and radio frequency treatments and counts with specialised surgeons such as Professor Yves Kamami, the inventor of the LAUP (Laser Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty) procedure. The treatment has achieved great results with over 4000 cases.

‘I am very pleased with the results. My snoring has been reduced by 90% and my partner is very pleased…! *

For more information about our snoring treatments, please see our website. To book a snoring treatment consultation with our expert please request a consultation on our website or you can call us on 0333 920 2471.

What is the best cure for snoring?

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Over 40% of the population are affected by snoring and as its National Stop Snoring week we felt it was a great time to help you deal with the tiresome problem!

We have been helping people with their snoring and sleep problems over 35 years and have treated more patients than any other UK clinic. Consultant ENT Surgeon and Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Specialist, Professor Yves Kamami GMC Number: 4145471 is the inventor of the LAUP (Laser Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty) procedure which is a non-invasive laser and radio frequency procedure to tackle the most common causes of snoring.

What is a snore?

The sound of snoring is actually the tissue inside of your mouth including the tongue and throat vibrating as you breathe. Snoring happens when your body is relaxed and your throat or nose narrows which creates an obstruction as you breathe.

Why am I snoring?

There are a wide range of reasons as to why you might be snoring and these include;

  • Age: As you age, the muscle tone in your mouth and throat can decrease which can create more obstructions.
  • Weight: Being overweight can cause fatty tissue on your neck to sit heavy on your airways whilst you are laid in bed.
  • Smoking: The smoke from cigarettes can cause irritation in the lining of the nasal cavity and throat, which causes swelling and a build-up of catarrh which acts as an obstruction.
  • Allergies: Hay fever for example can cause congestion in the nasal passages which can prevent you from breathing freely.
  • Alcohol: After drinking your muscles are much more relaxed than normal and it can cause irritation and congestion in the airways which can affect your ability to breathe properly.
  • Gender – 40% of men snore compared to just 24% of women which is most likely down to the voice box of a male sitting lower in the throat than a women’s. The location of the voice box in the throat of a male causes a larger amount of open space so when the tongue relaxes when they sleep; there is a lot more room for vibration to occur.

Is snoring unhealthy?

Snoring can affect your health in many ways including;

Depression: Excessive snoring can really affect your mental wellbeing as you will be suffering from tiredness but also relationships can suffer too.

Drowsiness: You may notice that you are suffering during the day feeling tired and drowsy which can have an effect on your ability to stay focused whilst as work for example.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a common condition that most people who snore would suffer from. It is when the muscles and tissues in the throat relax and collapse causing a total blockage of the airwaves for a brief moment.

How do I stop snoring and Snoring Treatment?

There is a wide range of over the counter products that claim to stop snoring and for some people that may work but for others after spending hundreds of pounds on various medication and gadgets that can be left feeling disappointed.

Here at The Private Clinic we offer a non-invasive laser and radio frequency procedure to tackle the most common causes of snoring.

LAUP stands for Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty and it is a procedure done in-house at our clinic in London Harley Street performed under local anaesthetic. The procedure decreases tissue in the throat and reduces the size of the uvula which means there is less chance of the airway becoming blocked during sleep.

We also offer an alternative treatment called Bipolar Radiofrequency Thermotherapy (RFITT) which uses radio frequency to tighten the muscles in the soft palate so the vibration causing snoring is dramatically reduced.

If you are suffering from snoring and believe you may benefit from any of our treatments then book in for a consultation with our ENT (Ear nose and throat) specialist who is also the inventor of the LAUP procedure.

Why choose The Private Clinic?

  • Walk-in walk-out procedures.
  • No general anaesthetic needed and no hospital stay required.
  • Treatment takes just 30 minutes under local anaesthetic.
  • Minimum downtime.
  • 24 hour patient helpline to ensure you are always in the best of hands.
  • Dedicated post-operative care and appointments with your surgeon and nursing team.
  • State of the art clinic facilities.
  • Our Consultant ENT surgeon invented the LAUP( Laser-Assisted Uvuloplatoplasty) procedure and has treated thousands of patients.

For more information or to book a consultation call 03339209135 or click here.

Joan Collins husband snoring – How To Stop Snoring

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With Dame Joan Collins making headlines for her snoring being “like a ‘Tchaikovsky symphony” (impressive!) we thought we’d take a minute to remind you what can be done about it. There’s an estimated 15 million snorers in the UK so the glamorous actress is far from alone in her situation.

You can imagine, or might even know first-hand, what damage snoring can do to everyone involved. A good rest is the foundation of good health, and when you haven’t slept you are not going to be in the best of moods and relationships can become fraught. Joan Collins joked that she hopes this doesn’t “cause her to divorce” Percy Gibson, we hope so too!

What can be done?

There’s a myriad of lotions, potions and ‘cures’ for snoring out there. Some are happy with them; ear plugs, mouth-guards or nasal clips can have decent (albeit temporary) results for people. Getting to a healthy weight, eating well and not smoking can all decrease your snoring. Rolling the sleeper to their front or side can also help.

For those looking for a fuss-free long term solution we hold a very successful sleep disorder clinic here at The Private Clinic which is often fully booked at least a month in advance. Our success rate last year was 98% and it’s no more invasive than a trip to the dentist. If you are a frequent snorer and it’s interrupting the sleep of you or a loved one then a trip in to see us (or even your local GP) is advisable because it may be an indicator of another health concern like a deviated septum or enlarged tonsils which would need surgical attention.

A Treatment That Works

The most common treatment we offer is Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) which is performed by Professor Yves Kamami, who has been helping people with their snoring for more than 30 years. He is frequently asked to attend events and make television appearances on the matters of snoring, blocked noses and sleep apnoea and actually created the LAUP treatment.

The treatment itself involves using a laser to target the uvula (at the back of your throat) and surrounding area to eliminate excess tissue. This creates a larger airway with less chance of it becoming blocked during sleep. LAUP frees your previously blocked passage which creates a better flow of oxygen, increases your energy levels and crucially stops you snoring. This benefits the snorer and everyone around them! LAUP is sometimes combined with a nasal treatment which takes just a few minutes more.

There is no downtime or hospital stay, it’s a quick quarter of an hour under local anaesthetic so the treatment area is numb. We are totally honest with our patients and must let you know there is some pain afterwards as your throat heals. You will be given some medication and we are always ready to welcome you back or answer a call or email if you’re concerned. There’s usually no need to come back in for further treatment although the doctor will invite you back a few months later just for a complimentary check-up. People often come in just to thank him!

Our patients tell us the treatment has been “life-changing” and “marriage saving”; we sleep easy knowing we’ve made a difference.

Our priority is you.

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We perform LAUP at: London, Manchester, Leeds & consultations for the treatment are available at Glasgow, Bristol and Birmingham.

For more information on our Snoring treatments check out or website or call 0333-920-2471.