Snoring and Sleep Apnea
THROAT / SNORING AND SLEEP APNEA
Find out why you snore and whether it is sleep apnea, with consultant ENT surgeon Dr Nurhani Yasmin Abdul Rahman at Kemena Pacific Hospital.
Snoring or sleep apnea?
Snoring is the sound of air vibrating through a narrowed airway during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is when the airway closes repeatedly during sleep, causing pauses in breathing. Untreated sleep apnea can affect concentration, mood, blood pressure and heart health, so it is worth checking.
Signs of sleep apnea
- Loud snoring most nights
- Pauses in breathing, choking or gasping during sleep, often noticed by a partner
- Daytime sleepiness, even after a full night in bed
- Morning headaches
- Poor concentration or irritability
- Waking often to pass urine at night
Common causes
- Blocked nose from allergies, a deviated septum or polyps
- Large tonsils or adenoids
- A narrow throat or large tongue
- Excess weight
- Alcohol or sleeping tablets before bed
How Dr Yasmin assesses and treats snoring and sleep apnea
Dr Yasmin examines the nose, mouth and throat, often with an endoscope, to find where the airway narrows. A sleep study may be arranged to confirm sleep apnea and measure how severe it is. Management depends on the cause and may include treating a blocked nose, lifestyle changes, a CPAP machine for moderate to severe sleep apnea, or surgery on the nose, tonsils or throat where suitable.
When to see an ENT specialist
- Snoring with pauses in breathing
- Daytime sleepiness, especially while driving
- Snoring with a blocked nose
- A child who snores loudly most nights
FAQs
What is a sleep study?
A test that records your breathing, oxygen levels and sleep overnight to diagnose sleep apnea.
Can snoring be cured?
Often it can be reduced a lot by treating the cause, such as a blocked nose or large tonsils.
Is sleep apnea dangerous?
Untreated moderate to severe sleep apnea increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart problems and road accidents.