Assoc. Prof. Sema Koç · 20+ Yıl Deneyim

Snooring & Sleep Apnea

What does snoring mean?

Snoring is the audible breathing that occurs during sleep due to narrowing or obstruction in the airway.

What Causes Snoring ?

Snoring is usually caused by vibrations of tissues in the airway, such as the soft palate and tongue, during sleep. These vibrations are usually caused by narrowing or obstruction in the airway. In addition, factors such as adenoid enlargement, nasal septum curvature, overweight and alcohol consumption can also cause snoring.

What is Sleep Apnea ?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep. These pauses can last for a few seconds to minutes and can occur multiple times throughout the night. Sleep apnea can be of two main types: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the airway, and central sleep apnea (CSA), which happens when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Both types can lead to disruptions in sleep patterns and potentially serious health issues if left untreated.

What Causes Sleep Apnea ?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA):

Muscle Relaxation:

During sleep, the muscles in the throat and tongue relax. In some individuals, this relaxation can cause the airway to become partially or completely blocked, leading to breathing pauses or shallow breathing.

Excess Weight:

Obesity or excess weight can contribute to the development of OSA by increasing the amount of soft tissue around the airway, which can obstruct breathing during sleep.
Anatomical Factors: Certain anatomical features such as a narrow airway, enlarged tonsils, or a large tongue can also contribute to OSA.

Age and Gender:

OSA is more common in older adults and males.

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA):

Brain Signal Issues:

CSA occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing during sleep. This can result from conditions such as heart failure, stroke, or disorders affecting the brainstem.

High Altitude:

Sleeping at high altitudes can also contribute to the development of central sleep apnea in some individuals.

Complex Sleep Apnea (Mixed Apnea):

Some individuals may experience a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea, known as complex sleep apnea or mixed apnea.
Other factors that can increase the risk of developing sleep apnea include smoking, alcohol consumption, family history of sleep apnea, and certain medical conditions such as nasal congestion, allergies, and hormonal disorders.

What are the surgical treatment methods for sleep apnea?

Our goal with surgical interventions is to address and alleviate airway obstructions by tightening, removing, or reducing problematic structures. We implement modern surgical techniques and utilize cutting-edge technology in the treatment of all our patients with snoring issues.

Pharyngoplasty and Palatoplasty Surgeries:

Nowadays, these operations are the most commonly used methods for the surgical treatment of sleep apnea. With this procedure, we intervene to allow the airways to widen without the need to cut the small tongue. We create a wider air passage area by reshaping the tissues around the small tongue, soft palate and tonsils. After surgery, we usually keep our patients in the hospital for 2-3 days and then discharge them.

Surgical interventions on the tongue root:

Tongue root procedures include tongue root resection (tissue removal from the tongue root) using robotic surgery or coblator device, hanging the tongue root to the jaw with sutures or reducing the tongue root with radiofrequency method. After this operation, we usually keep our patients in the hospital for 1-2 days and then discharge them.

Other surgeries:

Tonsillectomy (removal of large tonsils), adenoid surgery (adenoidectomy), deviation surgery if there is a curvature of the nasal septum, radiofrequency or surgical reduction of the nasal flesh, operations to correct the position of the jaw bones are among the methods used in the treatment of sleep apnea.

Healthy Breath for the Night, Peaceful Sleep with Surgical Innovations!

Treatments

Contacts

Address

Tekelioğlu Caddesi, 1947. Sk. Kayıkent Sitesi D:1.A Blok No:29/3 Muratpaşa/Antalya

Call to Us

+90 543 913 65 95

Mail

info@drsemakoc.com

Why This Clinic?

What awaits you during the rhinoplasty (nose aesthetics) process?

Ultrasonic Piezo Technology

Bone reshaping is performed with sound waves; surrounding tissues are protected and the process proceeds with precision.

Aesthetics + Function Together

Deviation and turbinate issues can be addressed in the same operation; both appearance and breathing are targeted.

Academic Background

With the title of Associate Professor and over twenty years of surgical experience, physician follow-up at every stage.

Regular Follow-Up Care

The recovery process is monitored in a planned manner through follow-up examinations after the operation.

Examination Process

How does the process proceed?

Initial Consultation and Information

Your complaints and expectations are heard. Detailed information is provided about the scope of the process, possible risks, and options.

Examination and Diagnosis

The necessary examinations and tests are carried out. The findings are evaluated together with you.

Treatment Planning

Suitable treatment options are determined based on the examination findings; the process and schedule are planned together.

Check-up and Follow-Up

Follow-up examinations are scheduled after treatment; the recovery process is monitored regularly.

Google Reviews

What do our patients say?

4,8

529 Google review

See All

“I came in for rhinoplasty and a breathing problem. Before the operation, she listened to all of my expectations and created a plan well suited to me. I achieved a very natural aesthetic result, and my breathing quality improved considerably.”

“She corrected the septal deviation, turbinate hypertrophy, fractures we hadn't noticed, and the drooping nasal tip in my son's nose using piezo technology. We are very pleased with the result and thank her.”

“I had a complaint of snoring at night. It has been 9 days since my operation; I've only now realized I couldn't breathe before. I experienced no pain at all, either during or after the operation.”

“Thanks to our dear doctor, my 23-month-old daughter can breathe. Because of enlarged adenoids, her tonsils had also become enlarged. I walked through the door as a mother; thank you for the confidence you gave me.”

“I explained that I would be traveling from out of town for an ear problem; they arranged my appointment time around my schedule. The attentiveness and professionalism at my first examination pleased me greatly.”

“My mother was diagnosed with Meniere 15 years ago. Severe vertigo attacks and ringing in the ears would last for days, seriously affecting her quality of life. With the right diagnosis and treatment, we experienced great relief.”

“She treated my daughter's adenoid problem beautifully with a painless, trouble-free operation. Recovery after the operation was surprisingly fast.”

“In 2024 for my older son and in 2026 for my younger son, Dr. Sema performed adenoid and tonsil operations using plasma technology. Because we were pleased with the first experience, we had no hesitation the second time.”

“I met her on a friend's recommendation. Being knowledgeable in her field, loving her work, and being devoted with respect to the medical profession impressed me greatly. She looks after you seriously and sincerely, like a member of your family.”

“At 32 I had sudden hearing loss and received the wrong treatment at another hospital. After my own research, I met Dr. Sema; we proceeded with close follow-up and the right guidance.”

The reviews are taken from evaluations that patients have shared publicly on Google Maps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What you may be wondering

What conditions can I consult the clinic for?

In addition to procedures such as nose reshaping (rhinoplasty) and correction of a deviated nose (septoplasty), you can consult us for snoring and sleep apnea, ear and hearing problems, vertigo (dizziness and balance), adenoids, tonsils, and head and neck surgery. The approach best suited to your complaint is evaluated together, under the physician's guidance, during your examination.

In nose surgery, does only the appearance improve, or does breathing improve as well?

Rhinoplasty is often an approach in which, alongside the aesthetic appearance, the internal nasal structures and the breathing function are also addressed. If there are functional problems such as a deviated septum, these can be considered within the same plan. A personalized plan is created together during your examination.

How do we begin the first appointment, and what is it helpful for me to share?

The process usually begins with a short preliminary consultation over WhatsApp; your complaint and expectations are heard, and then a suitable day for an examination at the clinic is scheduled. To help move things along, you can share any past medical records, information about the medications you use, and clear facial photographs from different angles. The possible options are then clarified together, under the physician's guidance, during your examination.

I'm coming from a different city or country; how do the process and the language of communication work?

For patients coming from out of town or from abroad, the process mostly begins with a preliminary consultation over WhatsApp; a possible roadmap is discussed before your arrival, based on your photographs and information. Because consultations can be conducted in Turkish, English, Russian, and Ukrainian, you can comfortably ask your questions in your own language. Your arrival date, the examination and, if applicable, the procedure day, along with your accommodation arrangements, are planned in advance according to your individual situation.

What is piezo (ultrasonic) rhinoplasty?

Piezo rhinoplasty is a technique in which the nasal bone is shaped with the help of sound waves (ultrasonic vibration). In this technique, while the bone is targeted, the aim is to preserve the surrounding soft tissues. Whether this method is suitable for you is evaluated together during your examination.

Is the same method applied to everyone?

Since every person's facial structure, tissue, and expectations are different, planning is personalized. During the examination, the techniques suited to you—for example, the ultrasonic piezo approach—are evaluated according to your situation. The aim is to determine together the approach that suits you, for a natural and balanced result in harmony with your overall facial features.

How does the AI-assisted preview work—does it show the definite result?

The AI-assisted preview is a preliminary assessment tool that helps discuss expectations by creating a possible 'after' appearance from your photograph. It is a projection, not a definite result; the final assessment is made together with the examination findings, following the physician's approval. The possible outcome can vary from person to person and depending on the healing process.

I've had surgery before but I'm not satisfied with the result—what can I do?

The effects of the previous operation and the current condition of the tissue are examined, and whether a revision is needed is evaluated together. Revision processes may proceed differently from the first operation, and healing varies from person to person. Planning is carried out taking your current structure and your expectations into account.

How do the recovery process and follow-ups proceed?

The recovery process varies depending on the procedure performed and the person's condition; swelling and bruising may occur in the first days and decrease over time. Follow-up appointments are scheduled under the physician's guidance; for out-of-town and international patients, some follow-ups can be continued via photographs and consultations over WhatsApp. The frequency and duration of follow-ups vary from person to person and are determined together during your examination.

Get Appointment Information

Take the first step: let's begin with an examination

Leave your details, and let's plan your appointment together via WhatsApp. Consultations can be held in Turkish, English, Russian and Ukrainian.

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+90 543 913 65 95