Snoring Treatment Consultation- Ear Nose And Throat (ENT)

Why is snoring treatment consultation required?

Sneezing is loud breathing that is caused by the narrowing of the upper airways, either in the nose or in the throat, or both. It is said that around 45% of adults snore at times, and 25% are believed to be habitual snorers.

Snoring is more common among men and overweight people, and it worsens as you age. Alcohol consumption and certain medications may enhance snoring. Enlargement of the tonsils and adenoids, as well as growths and tumors, may cause snoring, especially among children.

Snoring is connected to obstructive sleep apnea, which happens when noisy snoring is hindered by breathing pauses due to obstruction. Sometimes, sufferers have periods when they quit breathing for some seconds, and are then left breathless. If these periods happen more frequently, sleep is disturbed, and a lack of sleep can have bad effects on our health.

Which doctor to consult?

You can initially consult an ENT doctor (otolaryngologist), who will help you decide whether snoring treatments are suitable for you. A pulmonary medicine doctor who is trained in sleep medicine can also help you.

What to expect during snoring treatment consultation?

To diagnose sleep apnea, your doctor will observe your signs and symptoms, and will review your medical history. Your doctor will likewise do a physical examination.

Imaging

Your doctor may do an imaging test, such as an x-ray, a CT scan, or magnetic resonance imaging. These tests will check the structure of your airways for issues, like a deviated septum.

Sleep study

Depending upon the seriousness of your condition and different symptoms, your doctor might need to do a sleep study. Sleep studies may also be done at home.

You may need to remain overnight at a sleep center to have an in-depth examination, called a polysomnography. In polysomnography, you will be attached to numerous sensors and will be observed overnight. Your brain waves will be recorded, as well as your blood oxygen levels, heart rate, breathing rate, sleep stages and eye/leg movements during sleep.

Treatments

To treat snoring, your doctor will initially prescribe lifestyle changes such as losing weight. If obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed, the following treatments may be proposed:

Oral appliances

These are fitted dental mouthpieces that help stabilize the position of your jaw, tongue and soft palate and to open up your airways. A dental specialist will usually determine the fit and position of the appliance. Dental visits may be needed every six months for the first year then every year thereafter. The possible side effects of this treatment are excessive salivation, jaw pain, dryness of mouth and pain on the face.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

This method involves the wearing a mask over the nose or mouth while sleeping. The mask coordinates pressurized air from a small pump to your airway to keep it open while you sleep. CPAP can improve snoring and is regularly used to treating obstructive sleep apnea.

Though CPAP is the most dependable and effective strategy for treating OSA, some people think it is awkward or they may be bothered by the noise and vibrations of the machine.

Upper airway surgery

There are many methods that try to open the upper airway and avoid narrowing during sleep.

One is a surgical technique called uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). In this procedure, you may be given general anesthesia as the doctor removes excess tissues from your throat.

Another method is called maxillomandibular headway (MMA) and includes moving the upper and lower jaws forward to open up the airway. Radiofrequency tissue removal utilizes low-power radiofrequency signals to reduce tissues in the tongue, nose and soft palate.

Another method is called hypoglossal nerve stimulation and utilizes a stimulus that is applied to the nerve that can control the forward development of the tongue so that the tongue does not block the airway when you inhale.

References

• Snoring - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic. Mayoclinic.org. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/snoring/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20377701. Published 2019. Accessed January 12, 2019.
• ENT Health. https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/snoring-sleeping-disorders-and-sleep-apnea/. Published 2019. Accessed January 12, 2019.

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