Snoring – Causes, Diagnoses and Treatment | Dr Neetu Modgil
ENT specialist for snoring problem | Best doctor for snoring in Hyderabad
Snoring is a common phenomenon in men more than in women and it only gets worse with age. Certain changes in lifestyle can decrease snoring. If snoring is due to a sleep disorder, then it requires medical treatment. Therefore, you should see an ENT specialist for snoring if it is severe.
Causes of Snoring
When the tissues in your airways relax and narrow your airway, airflow is constricted causing a vibrating sound called snoring. Depending on how restricted your nose, mouth or throat is, snoring can vary in volume.
Allergies and colds can worsen snoring as they cause swelling of the throat and nasal congestion.
Sometimes, the anatomy of your mouth can cause snoring. People with enlarged tonsils and tissues that restrict airflow generally produce mild snores. Obesity can also cause snoring as the excess fat build-up in the neck cause strain on the neck constricting airways when you lie down.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often the cause of snoring in children, though the underlying cause can be enlarged tonsils and adenoids. This is the problem in adults as well.
In children. signs and symptoms of sleep apnea are, inattention, hyperactivity, sleepiness or other behavioural problems due to lack of sleep.
Snoring can increase your chances of experiencing the following if it is associated with sleep apnea:
- Sleepiness during the day
- Difficulty in concentration
- Accident due to drowsiness
- High blood pressure or hypertension
- Heart disease
- Stroke
With sleep apnea, serious medical conditions are more likely to occur than with snoring alone.
How is snoring diagnosed?
An ENT doctor performs a physical examination to determine if your snoring is related to abnormalities in your mouth. If your snoring is mild, this physical examination is all that you need for a correct diagnosis and proper treatment. However, you may require other diagnostic tests for severe causes. To check the abnormalities in your airway, the doctor may recommend X-ray, CT scan and MRIs.
Any best doctor for snoring in Hyderabad might advise you a more in-depth study of your sleep (Polysomnography) which requires spending a night with sensors on your head and other body parts to record:
- Heart rate
- Respiration rate
- Oxygen levels in your blood
- Your leg movement
Snoring Treatment in Hyderabad
The cause of your snoring will determine the type of treatment. Over the counter devices to control snoring are not recommended by our doctors as they do not treat the source of the problem.
The common treatment for snoring includes
To position your tongue and soften the palate and to keep your airway open, a dental mouthpiece is recommended by doctors.
- Palatal implants
- Surgery to trim and tighten excess tissue in your airways.
- Laser surgery to shorten your soft palate.
- Mask or CPAP/BIPAP machines.
A surgical procedure done correctly is often a permanent solution. Mouthpieces and marks should be used on a continual basis. Dr Neetu Modgil will instruct you for regular follow up appointments to check your progress.
The treatment success of your snoring depends on the root of its cause. With age, many people snore. if you don’t snore, now there are possibilities that you might snore when you get old.
It is important to discuss snoring problems with the doctor. Be sure to visit us if you snore frequently. We are here to give you the best treatment for your snoring problem.
How to Know that snoring could be due to OSA?
There are some symptoms associated with your snoring that may indicate that the underlying cause of your snoring could be due to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The following are some of those symptoms:
- Restless sleep
- Morning headaches
- Daytime sleepiness
- Sore throat and dry mouth upon awakening
- Breathing pauses during sleep
- Gasping or choking at night
- Concentration problems
- Very loud snoring
- High blood pressure
Children suffering from obstructive sleep apnea may have daytime fatigue, poor attention span, irritability, behavioural issues and poor academic performance in school.
Though not all snorers have obstructive sleep apnea, snoring if associated with any of the above symptoms, is an indication of OSA. It is a warning sign to consult an ENT specialist for snoring related complete medical examination and evaluation (OSA evaluation).
Meet Dr Neetu Modgil, the best doctor for snoring in Hyderabad for all your snoring related problems.