Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Specialist Dr. Ulaş Metin has warned that snoring, which is common in society but often overlooked, can be the most significant harbinger of sleep apnea—a condition that reduces the quality of life and can lead to serious health problems ranging from heart attack to stroke. Dr. Metin stated, "Snoring is not just a sound; it is a sign that the upper airway is narrowing and must be taken seriously."
Snoring and sleep apnea, affecting millions of people, invite serious health problems if left untreated. Making statements on the subject, ENT Specialist Dr. Ulaş Metin shared important information on the causes of snoring, the dangers of sleep apnea, diagnostic methods, and modern treatment options.
"Snoring is a sign, not a disease"
Emphasizing that snoring is not a disease by itself but a symptom of an underlying problem, Dr. Ulaş Metin said, "If the path we breathe through narrows during sleep, the passing air vibrates the surrounding soft tissues, and the sound of snoring occurs. This is a sign that the upper airway is narrow. Many factors can cause this narrowing, such as a deviated septum, adenoids, large tonsils, an elongated soft palate and uvula, weight, or jaw structure. When these factors combine, pauses in breathing during sleep, or apnea, can occur."
"Sleep apnea carries vital risks"
Defining sleep apnea as the repeated cessation of breathing during sleep, Dr. Metin listed its dangers as follows:
"When breathing stops, the body is deprived of oxygen, and the brain reacts with micro-awakenings to keep you alive. This can be repeated hundreds of times throughout the night. As a result, the person wakes up tired in the morning, is constantly drowsy during the day, and suffers from headaches and difficulty concentrating. More importantly, over time, sleep apnea causes a significant increase in the risk of high blood pressure, heart rhythm disorders, stroke, and heart attack. This is not just a quality of sleep issue but a serious health problem that directly affects life expectancy."
"Sleep test" is essential for definitive diagnosis
Dr. Metin stated that the definitive diagnosis for patients complaining of snoring and sleep apnea is made with a sleep test called "polysomnography." He explained, "During this test, where the patient sleeps in the hospital or at home for one night, we measure in detail how many times their breathing stops, the drops in the oxygen level in their blood, their heart rhythm, and the severity of their snoring. Based on these results, we classify the severity of the disease as mild, moderate, or severe and create the most accurate treatment plan."
"Treatment is planned individually"
Underlining that the treatment is not standard and is planned individually based entirely on the source of the problem, Dr. Ulaş Metin summarized the treatment options as follows:
"The gold standard for moderate and severe sleep apnea is CPAP devices, which enable the patient to sleep with a mask at night. These devices keep the airway open throughout the night by delivering continuous positive airway pressure. If the problem stems from an anatomical narrowing such as a deviated septum, large tonsils, or palate structure, we can offer permanent solutions with surgical treatments. Furthermore, in mild and moderate cases, oral appliances that advance the jaw to open the airway and lifestyle changes such as weight control are also an important part of the treatment."
Dr. Ulaş Metin concluded his words by saying, "Remember, snoring is not 'just snoring.' It is a warning sign. With early diagnosis and correct treatment, you can both improve your quality of sleep and protect your cardiovascular health in the long run."
