When to Seek ENT Treatment for Snoring

While occasional snoring may be harmless, persistent or loud snoring can signal deeper health issues, potentially indicating an underlying medical condition that requires ENT treatment.

Snoring occurs when the free flow of air through the nose and throat is obstructed during sleep, causing the surrounding tissues to vibrate and produce sound. It is a common issue, particularly among men over 40. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is the leading cause of snoring and is a serious condition requiring professional diagnosis and treatment.

Snoring can be triggered by several factors, including:

• Excess weight
• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol
• Sleeping on the back
• Nasal congestion
• Deviated septum
• Polyps in the nose

While occasional snoring is usually harmless, loud, frequent snoring that disrupts normal breathing during sleep can signal serious health implications. Loud, chronic snoring accompanied by pauses in breathing, gasping or choking during sleep, or excessive daytime fatigue are indicative of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

Individuals with OSA frequently experience daytime fatigue due to insufficient restful sleep. Their breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to partially or completely blocked airways. Over time, these interruptions can lead to serious health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and depression.

While not all cases of snoring require treatment, snoring specialists may recommend various options, ranging from simple lifestyle adjustments to medical devices and surgery.

For many individuals, the first line of defence against snoring involves adopting lifestyle changes:

• Losing Weight: Excess weight, particularly around the neck, can narrow airways.
• Sleeping on the Side: Sleeping on your back can cause the tongue and soft palate to fall back, obstructing the airway.
• Reducing Alcohol Intake: Alcohol relaxes throat muscles, increasing the likelihood of snoring.
• Quitting Smoking: Smoking irritates and inflames airways, leading to congestion and snoring.
• Stopping the use of Night-time Sedatives: Sedatives can relax throat muscles, worsening snoring.
• Treating Nasal Congestion: Clear nasal passages allow for easier breathing, reducing mouth breathing and snoring.

When lifestyle changes alone are insufficient to manage snoring, medical devices can offer effective solutions by actively supporting open airways during sleep. Common options include:

• CPAP Machine: This device involves a mask worn over the nose (and sometimes over the mouth) connected to a machine that delivers steady air pressure throughout the night. This helps individuals with sleep apnoea breathe properly while they sleep.
• Oral Appliances: These are custom-made devices worn in the mouth to reposition the lower jaw, tongue, or soft tissues during sleep. They keep the airway open and reduce snoring.

When conservative measures and non-surgical devices have not been effective, surgery may be recommended by an ENT surgeon. Common surgical options include:

• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): This procedure removes excess tissue from the back of the throat to widen the airway.
• Septoplasty: This is performed to straighten a deviated nasal septum, improving airflow.
• Tonsillectomy or Adenoidectomy: This procedure involves removing enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids to significantly resolve snoring and sleep apnoea.
• Radiofrequency Ablation: This minimally invasive procedure uses radiofrequency energy to stiffen the soft palate or reduce the size of other tissues, opening the airway.