Treatment
Snoring & Sleep
A detailed ENT assessment aimed at identifying the source of snoring and breathing complaints during sleep.
Snoring arises when the upper airway narrows during sleep. The narrowing may be at the level of the nose, the adenoid region or the palate.
The complaint is not limited to noise: pauses in breathing during sleep can affect sleep quality and daytime performance. Assessment is therefore made as a whole.
Who is it considered for?
The situations below are assessed during examination; suitability is determined individually.
- People who snore regularly and loudly
- Patients who describe, or whose partners witness, pauses in breathing
- Those experiencing marked daytime sleepiness and fatigue
- People who sleep breathing through the mouth because of nasal obstruction
Signs and complaints
If one or more of these complaints applies to you, an examination is advisable.
- Snoring that continues through the night
- Waking with a sense of choking
- Morning headache and dry mouth
- Difficulty concentrating and sleepiness during the day
The Doctor's Approach
Planning built around you
Snoring has no single cause; treatment is effective only when the source is correctly identified. The nasal, adenoid and palatal levels are therefore assessed separately.
Where sleep apnoea is suspected, a sleep study may be advised. Non-surgical options are also considered in light of the results.
The Process
How does the treatment process work?
These stages describe the general flow; each patient's plan is confirmed after examination.
- 01
Detailed history
Sleep pattern, the frequency of snoring and observations by others are assessed.
- 02
ENT examination
Nasal, adenoid and palatal structures are examined and the level of narrowing is determined.
- 03
Sleep study where needed
A sleep study may be arranged where apnoea is suspected; the treatment decision follows the results.
- 04
Individual treatment
Lifestyle advice, device therapy or surgical options are planned according to the findings.
Recovery and follow-up
Recovery differs according to the procedure performed and to individual factors.
- Where surgery is performed, recovery varies with the procedure.
- Factors such as weight and sleep routine can directly affect the outcome.
- Follow-up appointments matter for assessing the effect of treatment.
The timeframes and information here are general; they vary from person to person and do not replace medical advice. The plan that applies to you is determined by your doctor after examination.
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
No. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnoea. Examination and, where needed, a sleep study are used to distinguish the two.
No. The treatment option depends on the source of narrowing and the severity of symptoms; surgery is not required for every patient.
Where the narrowing arises in the nose, a reduction in symptoms may be seen. If palatal or adenoid causes persist, further assessment is needed.
Let's assess whether it suits you
Write a short note about your complaints and our team will share the process and the next step with you.