Sleep Apnea and Snoring – Chevy Chase ENT

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Sleep Disorders & Snoring Treatment

Sleep Treatment to Cure Your Sleep Apnea In Washington D.C.

Sleep disordered breathing is an umbrella diagnosis which includes individuals with snoring and sleep apnea. Almost all individuals who have sleep apnea, also have very loud snoring. Conversely, if one snores, it does not necessarily mean that there is apnea also. One can have a suspicion that apnea may be an issue. Spouses and family members frequently are the first to suspect a sleep disorder. However, patients are almost never aware of their snoring or apnea. The only way to definitively diagnose sleep apnea is with a sleep study.

Sleep Apnea and Snoring Treatments

Weight loss
Positional sleep therapy
Mandibular advancement device: an oral appliance which prevents the jaw from falling backwards during sleep.
Injection snoreplasty: a technique to stiffen the soft palate by injecting a sclerosing solution into the soft palate.
Palate pillar procedure: a technique to stiffen the soft palate with a synthetic wick placed into the soft palate under local anesthesia.
Addressing other anatomical areas which might contribute to snoring including nasal obstruction (deviated septum, turbinate enlargement or nasal polyps) and tongue base obstruction. For tongue base obstructive anatomy, we would consider a mandibular advancement device or the radiofrequency ablation procedure.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Treatment Options to Cure Your Sleep Apnea

There are a number of options to address your sleep apnea and sleep issues.

Deciding on the best option involves an evaluation by one of our board-certified physicians. The cause and site of airway obstruction is determined by examining the upper aerodigestive tract, the entire upper airway including the nasal cavity, throat and voice box regions. Based on a complete evaluation and examination, a treatment recommendation is made. Treatment option may include the following:

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

No CPAP and No Surgery

RFA is a non-surgical treatment option for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP and for whom surgery may not be an option. RFA treats the back of the tongue where the obstruction is occurring.

Learn More

Lifestyle Changes

Addressing diet, exercise and sleep hygiene habits are interventions directly under your control.

CPAP

The continuous positive airway pressure mask is the first-line treatment recommended for sleep apnea

Tonsillectomy

If there are enlarged tonsils contributing to airway obstruction, tonsillectomy may be indicated

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

This is a surgical procedure in which removing redundant and excessive tissue in the back of the throat and soft palate may be recommended; this is frequently done with a tonsillectomy.

Nasal Obstruction Correction

Correcting nasal obstructive anatomy can improve sleep apnea in selected individuals. Learn more Here.

Mandibular Advancement Device

This is a dental appliance which fits over the teeth, similar to a dental guard, which prevents the jaw from falling backwards, and can be a useful option for some individuals.

Maxillary-Mandibular Advancement

A surgical procedure to advance the mandible (jaw bone) and maxilla to open the posterior airway. (back of the throat)

Trans Oral Robotic Surgery (TORS)

A surgical procedure to remove excessive and redundant tongue tissue, performed under anesthesia in selected individuals.

Selected in Washingtonian Top Doctors Since 1998

Read Testimonials

Dr. Winkler is an extremely talented and dedicated physician who listens carefully and considers the whole health history as he develops a treatment plan…He’s appropriately cautious and will demur on a procedure if there’s a safer alternative. However, if a procedure is warranted, he has the talent to do it well.

Name Witheld

Everything about this office is excellent; Dr. Winkler is superb. Most thorough history and exam; patient and thorough explanations of everything; …produced great improvement in a problem that had festered for months…Could not be better!!

Leon K.

My child’s pediatrician recommended Dr. Winkler as her first choice to perform a tonsillectomy…Dr. Winkler was matter-of-fact, friendly, unhurried, professional, and has a wicked sense of humor…His follow-up care was thorough, kind, accurate, and timely. He’s a top notch doctor!

Sophie

Our niece had a tough recovery from surgery due to her already being sick …. Dr. Winkler was amazing. Called us every single day for two weeks. Saw us as necessary. I will use him again in a heartbeat.

Sharon R.

My husband has been fighting a rare and deadly cancer that was found in his nose by Dr. Hao for over six years now. We both truly believe that if not for the professionalism and concern that has shown us over those years, that my husband would not be alive today. We cannot praise Dr. Hao enough.