Ueno Snoring Clinic offers a range of options depending on your condition, including insurance-covered sleep testing and CPAP management, and self-pay snoring laser treatment. If this article doesn’t answer your question, please feel free to ask us at your first visit.
Details of the tests and treatments offered at Ueno Snoring Clinic can be found here
You’ll Want to Know This! A Complete Comparison of 5 CPAP Types — What Doctors Really Look For
Our doctor compares five different CPAP machines side by side and explains what actually matters when choosing one.
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A Complete Comparison of CPAP Masks
We tried on and reviewed five different types of CPAP masks. 90% of CPAP comfort comes down to the mask.
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Do you have to use CPAP forever? A specialist explains how to use CPAP
A detailed explanation of how to use CPAP, with a real demonstration of what it feels like to wear the device.
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Ueno Snoring Clinic was featured on Fuji TV’s “Live News It!” and on FNN Prime Online
Watch our clinic’s examination and explanation of sleep disorders, snoring, and sleep apnea.
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Ueno Snoring Clinic was featured in an article on Nippon TV’s “news every.”
Please take a look as a starting point for thinking about getting evaluated for snoring, sleep apnea, or other sleep disorders.
Read the article
Reviewed by Our Director
Kazuyuki Sugaya
Director, Ueno Snoring Clinic / Anesthesiologist
Our director, with over 20,000 general anesthesia cases, focuses primarily on the diagnosis and treatment of snoring and sleep apnea, offering care tailored to each patient. [Insurance-Covered] Ueno Snoring Clinic
This article was reviewed by our Director, Kazuyuki Sugaya, and answers common questions about testing, treatment, and costs, based on questions our patients have actually asked.
🩺Comprehensive Snoring Treatment at Ueno Snoring Clinic
Ueno Snoring Clinic combines insurance-covered sleep testing and CPAP management with self-pay snoring laser treatment, and proposes a plan tailored to each patient.
Insurance-Covered: Thorough Testing and Ongoing Treatment
- Simplified and PSG testing: A detailed assessment of the cause of your snoring and apnea
- CPAP treatment: The standard treatment for moderate-to-severe apnea
Self-Pay: Address the Root Cause, Short-Term Focus
- Snoring laser treatment: Courses of different lengths are available
- Medically supervised weight loss: An option when weight gain is a contributing factor
*Details of costs and any discounts are explained individually at your consultation. Whether a treatment is suitable, and how well it works, varies from person to person.
Our Director’s book, “Curing Snoring with the Latest Treatments” (an Amazon Japan bestseller — #1 in General Medicine, #1 in Clinical Internal Medicine, #2 in Family Health & Wellness), also covers these topics in more detail.
New Book by Our Director
“Curing Snoring with the Latest Treatments”
A guide to the latest snoring treatments, written by an anesthesiologist who has overseen the sleep of more than 10,000 patients.
View on Amazon
Quick Answer
The question we hear most often at Ueno Snoring Clinic is “Does laser treatment hurt?” Because we use a topical anesthetic spray, most people feel little pain. Other top questions are whether CPAP must be used for life, whether insurance applies, how long testing takes, and when laser results start to show. In short: sleep testing and CPAP are insurance-covered, while laser treatment is self-pay; testing can be done at home overnight; CPAP is usually continued while sleep apnea persists, though some people can reduce or stop it after addressing the cause; and laser results tend to build over several sessions. This article answers these top 5 plus 30 questions in total on testing, laser treatment, CPAP, costs, and visits.
📋 What This Article Covers
- The top 5 most common questions
- Questions about testing (Q6–Q10)
- Questions about laser treatment (Q11–Q16)
- Questions about CPAP (Q17–Q21)
- Questions about costs and payment (Q22–Q25)
- Questions about visits and other topics (Q26–Q30)
- Extra questions for international patients
The Top 5 Most Common Questions
First, here are the five questions we are asked most often.
Q1. Does laser treatment hurt? (our most frequent question)
Because we use a topical anesthetic spray, most people feel little pain. Some notice a prickling or warm sensation during treatment, but strong pain is rare. For more detail, see Does Snoring Laser Treatment Hurt?
Q2. Do I have to use CPAP for the rest of my life?
As a rule, CPAP is continued for as long as sleep apnea persists. However, if the cause is weight gain, weight loss may help; if it is a structural problem such as enlarged tonsils, surgery or other treatment may help; and in some cases, combined with laser treatment, CPAP may no longer be needed. Please don’t stop on your own; review whether to continue together with your doctor. See also Can You Ever Stop Using CPAP?
Q3. Can I use health insurance?
Sleep testing (simplified testing and PSG), CPAP treatment, and hay fever treatment (sublingual immunotherapy) are covered by Japanese health insurance. Snoring laser treatment and medically supervised weight loss are self-pay. For a full breakdown, see Is Snoring Treatment Covered by Insurance?
Q4. How long does testing take?
For simplified testing, you take the device home and wear it for one night, so the consultation itself is short. The more detailed PSG test can now also be done at home, with no hospital stay.
Q5. When will I notice the effects of laser treatment?
Some people notice a change after the first session, but in many cases the trend becomes easier to see after several sessions. How quickly results appear varies from person to person.
We Tried Snoring Laser Treatment for Real
What is snoring laser treatment really like? This documentary-style video at Ueno Snoring Clinic shows the steps and what happens during treatment.
Watch the video
Questions About Testing (Q6–Q10)
Q6. What kind of tests do you do?
There are two main types: “simplified testing” and “PSG (polysomnography).” Simplified testing uses sensors on your fingertip and nose to measure breathing and blood oxygen levels. PSG is a more detailed test that uses more sensors, including brain waves.
Q7. Can I do the test at home?
Yes. At present, both simplified testing and PSG can be done by taking the device home and sleeping in your usual environment. No hospital stay is needed.
Q8. How soon will I get my results?
It depends on the type of test. The data takes some days to analyze, and we usually explain the results at a follow-up appointment. We’ll give you an estimated timeframe when you do the test.
Q9. Can I be tested if I only snore and don’t stop breathing?
Of course. You’re welcome to come in about snoring alone. Whether or not you have apnea, we recommend checking your current condition with a test first.
Q10. What if I drank alcohol the night before the test?
Alcohol relaxes the muscles and affects how much you snore and stop breathing, which can make the results less accurate. Please avoid alcohol the night before testing as far as possible, and if you have had a drink, let our staff know.
Questions About Laser Treatment (Q11–Q16)
Q11. How many laser sessions will I need?
We offer courses of 3, 6, 8, and 12 sessions. Rather than a simple rule such as “severe cases need 12,” we recommend a course based on your examination findings, test results, and how treatment is progressing.
Q12. How long do the effects of laser treatment last?
In our Director’s clinical experience, many people who complete the recommended number of sessions maintain the effect for several years, some for five years or more. Long-term research data are still limited, however, and results vary. Snoring can become noticeable again with lifestyle changes such as weight gain; in that case, maintenance sessions are an option.
Q13. Are there any risks or side effects?
After treatment, warmth, mild swelling, or discomfort may last a few days, but this usually settles on its own. Because there is a rare risk of inflammation or damage to the lining of the throat, we confirm that the treatment is suitable for you at a consultation beforehand.
Q14. Can I go to work on the day of laser treatment?
Because the anesthetic is a spray and the treatment is short, most people with desk jobs can return to their normal routine the same day or the next day. If you use your voice heavily for work, allowing 2–3 days gives more peace of mind.
Q15. Are there any food restrictions after laser treatment?
Please don’t eat or drink until the numbness has worn off (about 30 minutes as a guide). Hot or spicy foods may sting, so it’s best to avoid them for the rest of the day. Beyond that, there are no strict restrictions.
Q16. Can I combine laser treatment with medically supervised weight loss?
If weight gain is one of the causes of your snoring, we may suggest combining the two. Please ask us at your consultation.
Questions About CPAP (Q17–Q21)
Q17. What should I do if my CPAP mask doesn’t fit?
There are several types of masks, and how the fit and air leaks feel differs from person to person. If it doesn’t feel right, please don’t put up with it; let us know. Changing the mask often helps. See also Best CPAP Mask for You: 5 Types Compared.
Q18. Is it better to buy or rent a CPAP machine?
Under insurance-covered care, the usual arrangement is to use the machine as part of a monthly management fee. We explain the details of the costs at your consultation. See also Should You Buy a CPAP Machine, or Use One Through Insurance-Covered Care?
Q19. How often does CPAP need cleaning?
Regular cleaning of the mask, tubing, and humidifier tank is recommended. Frequency varies by model, so please follow the instructions we give you when you start. See also How to Clean a CPAP Mask and Hose.
Q20. Will my snoring come back if I stop CPAP?
CPAP keeps the airway open only while you are using it, so if you stop, snoring and apnea generally return to how they were. Depending on the cause, other approaches such as weight loss or laser treatment may lead to improvement in some cases.
Q21. Can I keep using CPAP if I travel a lot for work or leisure?
Yes. As a medical device, CPAP can generally be taken on board as carry-on luggage on both domestic and international flights, though it’s wise to check your airline’s rules in advance. More people are also choosing compact travel models such as the AirMini.
Questions About Costs and Payment (Q22–Q25)
Q22. How can I pay?
We accept cash, credit cards, and medical installment plans (medical loans). Self-pay treatment may also qualify for Japan’s medical expense deduction, which can make larger costs easier to plan for.
Q23. Are there any discounts?
Depending on the number of sessions or the course, discounts or campaigns may be available. We’ll explain the details when you visit.
Q24. Can I claim the medical expense deduction?
Under Japanese income tax rules, payments for medical treatment by a doctor can count toward the medical expense deduction, which generally applies to the amount above ¥100,000 a year (or 5% of income if your income is under ¥2 million). Whether your costs qualify and how to file depend on your situation, so please check with the tax office or a tax accountant. See also Can Laser Snoring Treatment Be Claimed as a Medical Expense Deduction in Japan?
Q25. Can I receive both insurance-covered and self-pay care?
Yes. You can combine insurance-covered care (testing and CPAP management) with self-pay care (such as snoring laser treatment). Each is billed separately.
Questions About Visits and Other Topics (Q26–Q30)
Q26. Do I need an appointment? Can I book for the same day?
We are fully appointment-based, but same-day appointments are possible when consultation or counseling slots are available. Please check availability and book online or through LINE. If it’s urgent, you can also call us at 0120-899-930.
Q27. Do I need a referral letter?
No referral letter is needed. Please feel free to book.
Q28. Can you see children who snore?
We mainly treat adults. There is no fixed age limit, so if you’re concerned about your child’s snoring, please contact us first; depending on the cause, we may refer you to a medical institution that specializes in children.
Q29. Is it comfortable for a woman to visit on her own?
Yes. Many of our patients are women, and we take care to protect your privacy, so please feel at ease coming alone. See also Female Snoring: Causes, Sleep Apnea Risks, and Treatment Options for Women.
Q30. What makes your clinic’s approach distinctive?
Our doctor, who focuses on treating snoring and sleep apnea, proposes treatment based on an accurate diagnosis from testing. Rather than offering a single treatment such as laser to everyone, we place importance on first confirming the cause and severity with a test, and then choosing among insurance-covered and self-pay options.
Snoring Treatment: How to Choose the Right Clinic
A short video in which our doctor explains what to check about a clinic before starting snoring treatment.
Watch the video
What Ueno Snoring Clinic Can Do
Ueno Snoring Clinic is a sleep-disorder clinic specializing in snoring and sleep apnea. We are not an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) clinic; our Director is an anesthesiologist with more than 20,000 general anesthesia cases who draws on specialist knowledge of the airway and breathing management.
If your question isn’t covered here, please don’t hesitate to ask us at your appointment. We plan to keep adding questions from real consultations to this article.
Summary: Please Bring Any Questions or Worries to Your Appointment
This article answered the 30 questions we hear most often at Ueno Snoring Clinic, from basics such as “Does the laser hurt?”, “Is CPAP for life?”, and “Can I use insurance?” to practical questions about costs and visits.
If anything is still unclear, please ask us at your appointment. We will keep supporting you so that you can continue treatment with as little worry as possible.
Have a Question That’s Not Here? Ask Us
Testing, laser suitability checks, CPAP management, costs: we’re happy to answer anything. By appointment only; same-day appointments are often available.
Frequently Asked Questions
A few extra questions we often hear from international patients:
Q. Do I need to speak Japanese to visit?
A. We provide medical services for international patients. Please check our
English website for details on how to visit and book.
Q. What should I bring to my first visit?
A. If you are enrolled in Japanese public health insurance, please bring your insurance card so that testing and CPAP can be billed under insurance. Without it, care is charged at the full cost. A list of any medications you take is also helpful.
Q. Where is the clinic, and when is it closed?
A. We are at 5F Ueno Silk Building, 4-8-8 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo. The clinic is closed on Wednesdays. Weekends tend to be busy, so we recommend booking early if you’d like a Saturday or Sunday slot.
Q. Can I start with a sleep test even if I’m mainly interested in laser treatment?
*This article is a general explanation, written for a broad audience and based on the sources above together with our clinic’s own clinical experience. It is not a substitute for medical or tax advice. Treatment suitability and results vary from person to person. If you are concerned about snoring or sleep apnea, please consult a medical institution for a proper evaluation.
