There is occasional snoring. Then there is persistent snoring. Then there is sleep apnea…and sleep apnea is dangerous. Think of sleep apnea as the “worst case scenario” for snoring. It occurs when loud snoring is interrupted by a stop in breathing. These episodes occur when the airway becomes completely obstructed preventing the snorer from breathing at all. These episodes can last 10 seconds or more and may occur dozens of times an hour. The snorer may not even be aware these episodes are taking place. The trained physicians at the Beverly Hills offices of The Snoring Center’s Austin utilize a variety of minimally invasive procedures to treat sleep apnea. Of these, the most popular is The Pillar® Procedure.
What is the cause for this demand? Well, it has much to do with what The Pillar® Procedure is not. The preferred treatment for sleep apnea is actually Constant Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP. CPAP utilizes a machine attached to a mask that forces air into the airway to keep it open. However, the problem with CPAP is that many patients can’t tolerate wearing the mask while sleeping.
By contrast, The Pillar® Procedure is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that addresses one of the physiological problems that can lead to sleep apnea. The Snoring Center’s board certified physicians insert tiny implants into the soft palate. These implants stiffen the soft palate. This reduces vibration in the airway while preventing the airway from relaxing and closing., Quick and painless, The Pillar® Procedure carries few side effects, if any. On occasion, a patient may experience a slight irritation in the throat that lasts just a few hours.
Our physicians can diagnose, consult and treat a patient in one day. In many cases the entire process lasts less than an hour and patients can return to work immediately.
The Pillar® Procedure is just one of the medically 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 Beverly Hills office, our medical staff believes in taking a prudent, rational approach to sleep and snoring problems. We also believe our patients deserve long-term relief from sleep apnea, not just a temporary fix. Our patients regain the rejuvenating powers of restful, healthy sleep and gain an overall improvement in their lifestyle.
Again, sleep apnea is a very serious problem. If you suffer from problem snoring, we encourage you to speak to your primary physician or call us at our Beverly Hills office. Get a healthier night’s sleep. You deserve it.
Meet Your Doctor: Marc Kayem, MD, Medical Director, Beverly Hills CA
Dr. Kayem is a Board Certified Otolaryngologist with over 20 years of experience, 13 of which have been spent in private practice in Southern California. Dr. Kayem has been involved in minimally invasive treatment of snoring and sleep apnea for several years and is a recognized leader in his field. A graduate of The University of Ottawa, he completed his otolaryngology training at The University of Montreal under the guidance of some of the leading clinicians in his field. Dr. Kayem is also a Fellow at the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons in Canada.
Dr. Kayem currently serves as a Team Physician for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League.
