Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Reclaim the Quality of Your Sleep
Snoring is a common sleep disorder that many people underestimate, but it can conceal serious underlying health problems. During sleep, a noisy sound is produced when air passes through a narrowed airway, causing the soft tissues in the throat to vibrate. Beyond being a simple social issue, severe and regular snoring can be the first and most critical sign of a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSA), which severely threatens both quality of life and health.
Causes Behind Snoring
The factors leading to snoring are generally conditions that obstruct the airflow in the upper respiratory tract. These causes vary from your anatomical structure to your daily habits. Anatomically, a larger or saggy uvula, soft palate, and tongue base, a deviated nasal septum, polyps, or chronic nasal congestion due to allergies can trigger snoring. Lifestyle factors exacerbate this condition: excessive weight increases the fatty tissue around the throat, narrowing the airway. Alcohol or certain sedatives taken just before sleep relax the throat muscles. Furthermore, the supine (sleeping on the back) position causes the tongue to fall backward, blocking the airway.
A Serious Risk: Sleep Apnea
While not all snoring is dangerous, if the snoring sound suddenly stops, followed by periods of breathlessness (apnea), a choking sensation that causes waking, and thrashing during sleep, this could be a case of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea leads to a drop in the body's oxygen level due to repetitive cessation of breathing during sleep. Untreated Sleep Apnea not only causes excessive daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and irritability but is also a significant risk factor for serious cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, heart rhythm disorders, heart attack, and stroke. If you constantly wake up with a headache, feel sleepy during the day, and your partner tells you your breathing stops in your sleep, you should consult a specialist immediately.
Diagnosis and Treatment Methods
When you apply to our hospital with a complaint of snoring and possible sleep apnea, a detailed evaluation will be performed by our ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) and Chest Diseases specialists.
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Diagnosis: Polysomnography (Sleep Test) is performed in our Sleep Laboratory to definitively determine the severity of snoring and the underlying cause. This test scientifically records your breathing and oxygen levels during sleep.
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Treatment: Treatment is personalized according to the diagnosis results.
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Lifestyle Changes: Weight loss and sleeping in the lateral (side) position are recommended for mild cases.
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CPAP Treatment: For moderate to severe sleep apnea cases, the use of a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) device, which keeps the airway open with positive pressure throughout the night, is recommended. This is the most effective treatment method globally.
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Surgical Interventions: Surgical options are evaluated to eliminate anatomical obstructions such as a deviated nasal septum or enlarged tonsils.
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