Snoring Specialist

Alexis Furze, MD -  - Otolaryngology

Alexis Furze, MD

Otolaryngology & Facial Plastic Surgery located in Newport Beach, CA

About half of Americans snore at some point in their lives, but for 40% of men and 24% of women, snoring is a habitual occurrence. Beyond presenting a nuisance for bed- and housemates, snoring can indicate a larger problem, which is where the expertise of ear, nose, and throat specialist Alexis Furze, MD, comes in. Through innovative treatments and surgeries, Dr. Furze has helped many of his patients in Orange County (and their partners) sleep easier again. To remedy your snoring, call Dr. Furze’s office in Newport Beach, California, or schedule an appointment online today.

Snoring Q & A

What is snoring?

Snoring is an incredibly common condition that ranges in severity from a mild nuisance to a life-altering problem that prevents you from getting the sleep (and air) that you need. Snoring occurs when tissue in your nose and/or throat relaxes and vibrates. This usually happens when you’re breathing in, but it can occur both as air comes and goes.

What causes snoring?

Nearly everyone snores at some point in their lives, usually during a cold or after an evening when the alcohol flows freely. These temporary issues with snoring are perfectly normal and usually aren’t cause for concern.

If you have ongoing problems with snoring, it may be attributed to something more serious, such as:

  • An anatomical issue in your nose, such as a deviated septum
  • Problems with the soft tissue at the back of your mouth and throat
  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

There are also many factors that put you more at risk for snoring, including:

  • Alcohol consumption
  • Gender (men are more prone to snoring)
  • Sleep position (more specifically, sleeping on your back)
  • Being overweight

The bottom line is that there are many conditions that can lead to snoring. If the problem is a constant one and leaving you or your partner sleep deprived, it’s time for a consultation with Dr. Furze.

How is snoring treated?

The answer to this question depends upon the root cause of your snoring. To get started, Dr. Furze reviews your medical history and performs a physical examination. He may turn to an in-office nasal and sinus endoscopic evaluation and a CT scan of your nose and sinuses to check for structural problems. He also closely examines your throat to find out whether your palate, tonsils, or other tissues are causing your snoring.

Once he determines the cause of your snoring, he comes up with a treatment plan designed to address your unique situation. Starting out conservatively, Dr. Furze may recommend decongestants, changes in sleep positions, and certain lifestyle changes, such as reducing alcohol consumption or losing weight.

If your problem is anatomical, Dr. Furze is board-certified in head and neck surgery and offers several surgical options, such as a septoplasty or sinuplasty, that can correct your anatomical issue for sustainable results.

If you’d like to breathe easier at night, call Alexis Furze, MD, or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about the effective treatments for snoring.