Snoring and Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are caused by the development of resistance to airflow in the upper airways during sleep.  The first thing to happen is that the tissues in the throat start to vibrate causing snoring.

Snoring can be treated in the office with laser assisted uvuloplasty (LAUP), injection snoreplasty, or radiofrequency palatoplasty.  As the resistance to airflow increases breathing is disrupted and obstructive sleep apnea develops.  The disruption in sleep can lead to being tired during the day but more importantly contribute to the development of high blood pressure, heart attack and heart failure.