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ADULT SNORING

WHAT IS SNORING?

  • Snoring is a harsh sound produced by vibration of the soft tissues of the upper airway during sleep.
  • It usually occurs during breathing in, but can also occur during breathing out.
  • Habitual snoring is common, more common in males than females and increases as we grow older.
  • Occasional snoring is almost universal

WHY DO I SNORE?

  • Obesity, Pregnancy and Genetic Factors
  • Allergies, Congestion and Certain Nasal Structures
  • Alcohol, smoking, aging and certain drugs and medications, including muscle relaxants.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEEN SNORING AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA (OSA)

  • Snoring can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) but not everyone who snores has the sleep disorder.
  • Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that causes you to temporarily stop breathing when you are asleep.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA?

  • The main symptoms of sleep apnea are:
    • loud snoring,
    • tiredness, and
    • daytime sleepiness.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SLEEP APNEA (2)?

  • Other symptoms can include:
    • Restless sleep
    • Waking up choking or gasping
    • Morning headaches, dry mouth, or sore throat
    • Waking up often to urinate
    • Waking up feeling un-rested or groggy
    • Trouble thinking clearly or remembering things

ARE THERE TESTS FOR SNORING?

  • The ENT doctor might recommend any other following:
    • Sleep endoscopy (passing camera down your throat),
    • Imaging like Xray or MRI
    • Home sleep apnea test (HSAT).

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR SNORING?

  • Conservative measures
    • Weight loss-if your BMI is above 30 or collar size is above size 17 in men and 16 in women, loss of weight coupled with an exercise regime will
    • Tobacco and alcohol-these can cause your tongue and throat muscles to relax; avoid tobacco or alcohol for at least 4 hours before bed.
    • Sleep position-risk of snoring is higher when you sleep on your back rather than your side
  • Nasal patency
    • Nasal decongestants-the nose is the narrowest part of the airways. Nasal congestion can impair airflow through the nose. We suggest that individuals who snore only during a common cold receive a trial of decongestant therapy before bedtime during colds
    • Intranasal steroids-nasal congestion from allergic rhinitis (nasal allergies) or chronic sinusitis may improve on intranasal steroids.
  • Mechanical approaches
    • CPAP- CPAP therapy keeps your airway open during the night by gently providing a constant stream of air through a mask you wear while you sleep.
  • Surgical options
    • UPPP-This is the most common surgery to reduce or eliminate the bulky tissue in your throat.
    • Dental surgery-this aim at adjusting the bony structures.
    • Nasal surgery-correction of a deviated nasal septum, enlarged nasal turbinates or nasal polyps improve airflow through the nose.