February 2008 - The Parklander Magazine

MEDICINE & HEALTHSnore No More…By Dr. Jon RosenthalAs an Otolaryngologist (Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon) I’m often askedto comment on whether there are any new or “cutting edge” technologiesavailable to treat any of the medical conditions I care for.The treatment ofsnoring and it’s more serious counterpart, obstructive sleep apnea, hasbeen a difficult problem to treat. This is because most of the surgical proceduresused to correct this ailment required multiple treatment sessionsand resulted in significant post operative pain and suffering.The developmentof the Pillar® Procedure by Restore Medical has provided doctorswith a minimally invasive surgical technique that can be performed in onetreatment session, under local anesthesia, with minimal postoperative painand down time.Try this: tilt your head back, open your mouth and pretend that you’re gargling.Feel that flutter at the back of your throat? That’s your soft palatevibrating, which is believed to be a significant contributing cause forapproximately 80% of people who snore.Snoring is a noise made by the vibration of tissue in the upper airway suchas the nose, mouth, or the back of the throat.Think of it like you are suckingon a straw. Now imagine blocking the end of the straw with your finger.If you suck hard enough the straw will collapse or flatten out due tonegative pressure inside the straw. This is what happens in your throatwhen you snore. When people go to sleep, the tissues in the upper airwaybegin to relax. Then because of resistance to airflow, the airway collapsesand as the air is sucked through, tissues vibrate, creating the snoring noise.One in four people have a problem with chronic snoring and can’t stop ontheir own. If you’re sharing a household with a snorer you know that, ifthey can’t stop snoring, it will always be your problem too. On average, thebed partner of a snorer loses at least an hour of sleep every night. Becausethe partner’s sleep is interrupted so frequently, it isn’t deep and restful. As aresult, they can be irritable, resentful, even unsafe at the wheel while driving.Sleep deprivation can also compromise the immune system and leadto low energy, decreased productivity, and muddled thinking. Chronicsnoring can even be a sign of a more serious health problem, obstructivesleep apnea.Eventually, the lack of sleep can cause the snorer or bed partner to move toa different room. Imagine the strain that can have on a relationship.Maybe you don’t have to imagine it at all because you are already livingwith a loved one who can’t stop snoring.The Pillar® Procedure involves the insertion ofthree small implants into the muscle of the softpalate.This is performed under local anesthesia ina physician’s office and takes approximately 30minutes to complete. The implants are made ofwoven fiber that allows tissue in-growth. Fibroustissue then forms around and between theimplants creating a structurally stiffened area inthe soft palate that prevents it from vibrating andthus reduces or eliminates snoring.Compared to other procedures, The Pillar Procedure is minimally invasive,virtually painless and patients can usually return to their normal routinesthat same day.Dr. Jon Rosenthal, a Board Certified Otolaryngologist and FacialPlastic Surgeon, is a Fellow of the American Board of OsteopathicOtolaryngologists Head and Neck Surgeons, and a member of theAmerican Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Hehas offices located in both Coral Springs and Plantation.When considering cosmetic facial surgery, trust yourface to a board certified facial plastic surgeon.Jon N. Rosenthal, D.O., F.A.C.O.O.• Botox Cosmetic• Rhinoplasty• Face Lifts• Skin Care/SkinMedica90 FEBRUARY 2008• Restylane• Laser Resurfacing• Radiesse• Eye Lifts3100 Coral Hills Drive, Suite 307, Coral Springs954.796.0400www.entfacialplasticsurgery.comBoard Certified in Otolaryngology & Facial Plastic SurgeryMember of American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive SurgeryMention the Parklander and receive a complimentary consultation.