Large tonsils, or hypertrophic tonsils, can frequently cause severe snoring, breathing holding, difficulty eating, choaking, and sleep apnea. This can occur as an isolated event or in conjunction with recurrent tonsillitis. If the problem becomes severe, tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy is often recommended.
Sleep Apnea sleep disorder
In general, surgery for sleep apnea is only about 50% successful. However, you would need to talk with your surgeon regarding your specific situation. Surgery is usually recommended only after medical therapy has failed. If your main concern is the snoring, then either the laser procedure or the new Somnoplasty carries about an 85% success rate for resolution of the snoring.
Oxygen for sleep deprivation?
Your problems can be evaluated by an Ears, Nose, Throad (ENTor otolaryngologist) doctor--if you are having sleep problems associated with significantly enlarged adenoids and a very relaxed palate then various surgical operations may be necessary to review. The problem is not one of too little oxygen, but rather may be related to anatomical issues (how his air passages are designed). Speak with your doctor about this. Many times it is helpful to make a video tape for either his doctor or the ENT doctor to see--a picture and sound is worth a thousand words.
For more information visit: Large Tonsils and Snoring