Snoring might seem like just a noisy nighttime annoyance, but it can actually be a sign of a serious health issue—sleep apnea. If you or a loved one snores loudly, wakes up gasping for air, or constantly feels tired even after a full night’s sleep, it could be time to look into the underlying cause. In many cases, the problem starts in the nose. When nasal passages are blocked or too narrow, airflow becomes restricted, leading to snoring and interrupted breathing during sleep.
For people struggling with these issues, nasal surgery can be a life-changing solution. Procedures that correct structural blockages and improve airflow—like septoplasty, turbinate reduction, and nasal valve repair—can dramatically reduce snoring, improve sleep, and even alleviate sleep apnea symptoms. If you’ve tried everything from nasal strips to CPAP machines and nothing seems to work, surgical intervention may be the key to finally getting restful sleep.
Dr. Alen N. Cohen, renowned ENT specialist in Los Angeles specializes in minimally invasive nasal procedures that help patients breathe better and sleep soundly. Here some insight into how nasal surgery can help snoring and sleep apnea, who might be a good candidate, and why expert care from an ENT in Los Angeles makes all the difference.
How Snoring and Sleep Apnea Are Linked to Nasal Issues
Snoring happens when airflow is partially blocked, causing tissues in the throat and nasal passages to vibrate. Chronic nasal obstruction is one of the most common reasons for snoring. When you can’t breathe freely through your nose, you’re forced to breathe through your mouth, which increases the chances of snoring.
Sleep apnea is a more serious condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common form and occurs when airflow is completely blocked for short periods. This can lead to oxygen deprivation, poor sleep quality, and long-term health risks like high blood pressure, heart disease, and daytime fatigue.
Nasal obstructions can play a significant role in both snoring and sleep apnea by making it harder for air to pass through normally. The most common nasal causes of snoring and sleep apnea include:
- Deviated Septum: A crooked or off-center nasal septum (the wall between the nostrils) can block one side of the nose, reducing airflow.
- Enlarged Turbinates: The turbinates are structures inside the nose that help filter and humidify air. If they’re swollen, they can restrict airflow.
- Nasal Polyps: Soft, noncancerous growths in the sinuses that can block breathing passages.
- Nasal Valve Collapse: Weak or narrow nasal openings can collapse inward when you breathe in, reducing airflow.
Addressing these nasal obstructions through surgery can significantly improve airflow, reduce snoring, and lessen sleep apnea symptoms.
Also Read: Deviated Septum vs. Nasal Polyps: What You Need to Know
The Benefits of Nasal Surgery for Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Breathe Better All Day and Night
One of the biggest benefits of nasal surgery is that it restores normal breathing. Many patients don’t realize how much nasal obstruction affects their quality of life until after surgery—when they finally experience what it’s like to breathe freely and effortlessly.
When airflow improves, you sleep more comfortably and wake up feeling refreshed. Many people also notice a dramatic reduction in nasal congestion and sinus pressure, leading to better overall health.
Less Snoring Means Better Sleep
Loud snoring isn’t just frustrating, it can disrupt your partner’s sleep and even strain relationships. By opening up the nasal passages, snoring is often significantly reduced or eliminated.
If you or your partner wake up frequently due to snoring, nasal surgery could restore peaceful sleep for both of you.
Improved Sleep Apnea Symptoms
For patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, nasal surgery can make a huge difference. If nasal blockages are contributing to apnea episodes, clearing them can help reduce or even eliminate breathing interruptions during sleep.
Even for patients who still require CPAP therapy, nasal surgery can make CPAP more effective and comfortable by allowing air to flow smoothly through the nose.
Less Dependence on CPAP Machines and Medications
Many sleep apnea patients struggle to tolerate CPAP machines because they feel uncomfortable or claustrophobic. If nasal obstruction is a factor in sleep apnea, surgery can make breathing easier and reduce the need for CPAP or other treatments.
Similarly, people who rely on nasal sprays or allergy medications to breathe better at night may no longer need them after surgery.
Increased Energy and Focus During the Day
If you’re constantly exhausted, foggy-headed, or struggling with daytime fatigue, poor sleep may be to blame. When nasal surgery helps you sleep better, you’ll notice:
- More energy during the day
- Better concentration and memory
- Improved mood and reduced irritability
- Less morning headaches and dry mouth
Better sleep leads to better health and quality of life.
Also Read: Nasal Obstruction From a Deviated Septum: What You Should Know
Common Nasal Surgeries for Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Septoplasty (Correcting a Deviated Septum)
A deviated septum is one of the most common causes of nasal obstruction. Septoplasty is a simple procedure that straightens the septum, allowing air to flow evenly through both nostrils.
- Minimally invasive
- Performed in under an hour
- Permanent improvement in airflow
Turbinate Reduction
When turbinates are swollen or enlarged, they block nasal airflow. Turbinate reduction shrinks these structures to improve breathing without removing them completely.
- Quick recovery
- Reduces nasal congestion
- Can be combined with septoplasty
Nasal Valve Repair
If your nasal passages collapse when you inhale, nasal valve surgery strengthens and supports the structure of your nose, keeping it open.
- Effective for nasal valve collapse
- Enhances breathing efficiency
- Long-lasting results
Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)
For patients with chronic sinus inflammation, nasal polyps, or sinus infections, FESS clears blocked sinus pathways to improve breathing and reduce nasal congestion.
- Minimally invasive/li>
- No external incisions
- Fast recovery
Also Read: Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Recovery: Best Practices for Sleeping Comfortably
Why Choose Dr. Alen N. Cohen at the Southern California Sinus Institute?
If you’re considering nasal surgery for snoring or sleep apnea, choosing the right ENT specialist in Los Angeles is crucial. Dr. Alen N. Cohen is a widely recognized sinus surgeon and treatment expert.
- Board-certified ENT specialist with over 10,000 successful procedures
- Pioneer in advanced nasal and sinus surgery techniques
- Named a Los Angeles “Super Doctor” every year since 2013
- Personalized care for each patient’s unique nasal and sleep issues
At the Southern California Sinus Institute, Dr. Cohen and his team provide the highest level of care, using the latest technology to ensure safe, effective, and lasting results.
If snoring or sleep apnea is affecting your life, you don’t have to suffer any longer. Nasal surgery can help you breathe better, sleep deeper, and wake up feeling refreshed. Call us today or visit our website to schedule a consultation. Take control of your sleep, and start breathing freely again!