Constant Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP, is the preferred treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when the airway becomes closed during sleep, often caused by the relaxation of the muscles in the throat. When this happens, the sleeper stops breathing for as many as several seconds and these episodes can occur dozens of times throughout the night. The CPAP involves a mask worn over the nose or nose and mouth that is attached to a machine via hose. The machine keeps the airway open by forcing air into the airway. The machine itself is relatively quiet, but it does produce a mild hum. Here is the rub…many patients can’t tolerate sleeping with a mask. In San Francisco, thousands of snorers have turned to The Snoring Center and The Pillar® Procedure as an alternative to CPAP in their quest to find long-term relief from problem snoring.
The Pillar® Procedure involves the insertion of implants into the soft palate to stiffen the throat area. This keeps the airway open by prevents it from relaxing and collapsing during sleep. The procedure is performed by our board certified physicians and the entire process (diagnosis, consultation and procedure) can be completed in our offices in less than hour. Our patients return to their normal activities immediately and usually no side effects. When they do it is almost always nothing more than a scratchy throat that lasts for a few hours.
Of course, The Pillar® Procedure is only one of the minimally invasive advanced treatments we utilize at The Snoring Center. The other proven treatments we utilize include:
- Coblation Turbinate Reduction
- Palate Coblation
- RFA
- Laser Tonsillectomy
- Home Sleep Study
- Oral Appliances
- Snoring Surgery
- CPAP
At The Snoring Center’s San Francisco office we provide life-altering relief to our patients. Aside from the debilitating health problems associated with snoring, it can also cause problems with relationships and exhaustion. Snoring does not have to be a burden. Eliminate it from your life quickly and easily. Contact us at The Snoring Center’s San Francisco offices to schedule a consultation. Sleep better now!
Your doctor: Michael Macdonald, MD, FACS, FRCSC, Medical Director – San Francisco, CA
Dr. Macdonald, having participated in clinical trials with snoring device manufacturers, is passionate about keeping up with the newest options for snoring relief. Dr. Macdonald knows that a complete cure is still elusive for most snoring sufferers. Dr. Macdonald is considered a pioneer of minor surgical procedures for snoring relief since and given his depth of experience in administering the Pillar® Procedure with high success rates, he has been asked to teach specialists in the USA and Canada to perform this procedure since 2005.
As an ear, nose & throat (ENT) specialist, Dr. Macdonald has had highly-focused training in the following areas resolving both nasal and oral airway issues, remedying a wide range of nasal conditions negatively impacting breathing and/or smell, and reconstructing the nose from the inside out, to ensure optimum form and function.
