Sleep apnea

Snoring can be a sign of a more serious disease like obstructive sleep apnea. It is possible that snoring is the only symptom of sleep apnea, but it is often accompanied by daytime fatigue. Other symptoms can be headaches or sleepiness. 

Sleep apnea is defined as temporary obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, at least 5 times an hour. During sleep, your body’s muscles relax, including the upper airway muscles. In patients with a narrow upper airway, sometimes due to recent weight gain, this relaxation causes complete obstruction of the airway. The effect of sleep apnea is that the snorer must sleep lightly to prevent airway collapse. Due to this light sleep, the sleep apnea patient suffers from daytime sleepiness and fatigue, causing decreased productivity and danger with driving heavy machinery. Moreover, and most importantly, untreated obstructive sleep apnea increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and multiple medical problems.

Tired snorers should consult an Otolaryngologist to make sure sleep apnea is not a cause. An ENT will perform an in-depth examination of your nose, your mouth, your throat, your palate and your neck, often using a flexible fiberoptic camera. A sleep study, at home or in a sleep lab, can be necessary to determine if snoring is caused by sleep apnea.

Depending on its severity, multiple treatments can be possible for sleep apnea. For light to moderate apnea, a positive pressure machine (CPAP), a mandibular advancement prosthesis or throat surgery can be an option. For severe apnea, a CPAP or maxillofacial surgery (maxillomandibular advancement) can be possible as well.