Snoring And Sleep Apnea
The problem of snoring, which is quite common, is the noisy sound that occurs due to the narrowness between the mouth and airway and the vibration that occurs in these tissues during breathing. Snoring can cause discomfort to both the person and the people around them. However, if it does not disrupt sleep, it does not pose a health problem for the person. Although it may cause symptoms of fatigue the next day, this type of snoring is called simple snoring. If a more advanced level of this condition exists, snoring in sleep as well as breathing difficulties during sleep are experienced, then this is considered a serious condition. This condition is called obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and its incidence is quite high. People with this type of breathing difficulty during sleep are advised to consult a physician. Various reasons may be involved in the occurrence of snoring and related apnea.
Causes Of Snoring And Sleep Apnea
There may be several reasons for the occurrence of snoring and with it advancing sleep apnea. These include primarily obesity, anatomical disorders such as tonsils, and adenoids and swelling in these tissues, alcohol consumption, lying position, soft palate laxity, small tongue length, craniofacial anomalies, structural disorders of the jaw, nasal curvature (septum deviation), drugs used, and neuromuscular causes. It is of great importance for people with some of these reasons and the symptoms mentioned below to consult their ENT physician and start treatment for sleep apnea problems.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Sleep apnea is a serious illness and a health problem that can lead to serious consequences including death, if not prevented. Therefore, it is important to be sensitive to its symptoms. These symptoms include waking up tired, shortness of breath during sleep, distraction, heart problems, hypertension, memory problems, sexual problems, waking up with dry mouth and sore throat, regular headaches, and dizziness during the day, feeling like suffocating while sleeping, and running out of breath.
Treatment of Snoring And Sleep Apnea
While snoring can be improved simply by correcting the lying position, losing weight, avoiding alcohol and eating before going to bed, and creating life and behavior changes, surgical interventions can be applied when necessary. If there are reasons such as adenoid, tonsil, or nasal curvature under the causes of snoring, surgical interventions can be applied to improve these problems. The factors that cause narrowing or obstruction of the mouth and airway are eliminated by procedures such as removing the necessary tissues, filling and correcting the nasal bone, tightening the loose tissues again, or shortening the uvula.
If there is a sleep apnea problem following snoring, it should be ensured beforehand whether the person has an apnea problem. The diagnosis of sleep apnea is made by performing a “polygraphic examination” in sleep laboratories (Polysomnography Laboratory). With the diagnosis of apnea, people should start to receive sleep apnea treatment.
In the treatment of sleep apnea, the UPPP (Uvulo-Palato-Pharengo-Plasti) method is generally used. Within the scope of this method, the excess parts of the soft tissues in the upper respiratory tract such as the uvula and soft palate are removed or the enlarged tissues are stretched. Thanks to this method, both snoring and sleep apnea problems can be eliminated. Sleep apnea problems can be solved by methods such as anterior palatoplasty and lateral pharyngoplasty. For people who cannot undergo surgical intervention, treatment is applied with a positive airway pressure (CPAP) device.