Snoring

Snoring is not only a social nuisance but can also be a symptom of a more serious underlying problem.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a highly prevalent condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Snoring is a symptom of OSA, but more worrying is the fact that many stop breathing (apnoea) during sleep because of upper airway obstruction. This increases the likelihood of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, daytime sleepiness, motor vehicle accidents, and diminished quality of life.

If you snore often, you may need to consult an ENT specialist in Singapore to help identify the causes of the snoring so that it doesn’t cause any major health issues. Snoring usually occurs when your nasal airways are blocked. Other factors that may contribute to snoring include allergies, alcohol misuse, bulky throat tissue, obesity, smoking, sleep deprivation, and sleeping position.

In the United States, symptomatic obstructive sleep apnoea is estimated to affect 1 in 4 men and 1 in 9 women. Of these, approximately 12 million suffer from moderate or severe OSA. In Australia, a similar percentage of the population has moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnoea, affecting approximately 500,000 people. However, it is estimated that only 10% to 20% of OSA sufferers have been diagnosed and treated. 

According to a community-based sleep-disordered breathing study conducted in Singapore, it was observed that 30.5% of the population suffered from sleep disorders and were mostly undiagnosed. This is why it is important to consult a doctor for snoring in Singapore in order to get the proper snoring treatment.

How is Snoring Diagnosed? 

Growing patient awareness and physician training are rapidly increasing the pool of diagnosed patients, which is estimated to be growing at a rate of 15% per year. In addition, the obesity epidemic and the ageing population are both contributing to an increasing patient base which is currently growing at about 1% per year.

Obesity is also a growing problem in Singapore, and a local study showed a very high incidence of obstructive sleep apnoea in obese patients. Almost half had moderate OSA, and another third had severe OSA. While no studies on its prevalence have been carried out, it has been estimated that OSA affects about 15% of our population, and this percentage is likely to grow.

When you visit an ENT doctor in Singapore, they will ask about your medical history and do a physical exam to determine the causes of snoring and the effects that you are experiencing. This will include nasendoscopy, which involves passing a small camera through your nose to examine the upper airway. Your ENT doctor in Singapore might also order diagnostic tests such as X-rays, CT scans or MRI scans to search for abnormalities and problems in your airways. Lastly, a sleep study is ordered to confirm the clinical diagnosis of OSA and to assess its severity. 

How is Snoring Treated? 

Your snoring treatment will depend on what causes you to snore. That’s why it’s advisable to seek medical help from an ENT specialist in Singapore right away to find the most appropriate snoring treatment for you.

Common treatments for snoring include:

• Change of lifestyle habits: Your ENT doctor in Singapore might advise you to lose weight by improving your eating habits and exercising.
• Treatment of nasal congestion: Nasal congestion is one of the most common causes of OSA. If this condition is left untreated, it may lead to infections such as sinusitis and middle ear infection. If you have allergies, you are more likely to have nasal congestion, but it is treatable.
• Use of dental mouthpieces (mouthguards): Your physician may advise you to wear a dental appliance to keep your airways open, reduce snoring, and relieve OSA.
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): This device will keep the airways open and prevent them from collapsing. This will significantly reduce the risk of hypertension, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. 
• Surgery: Your ENT specialist in Singapore may have to resort to surgery if your symptoms don’t improve after non-invasive snoring treatments. To fix the issue that’s causing you to snore, nasal, throat or tongue base surgery may be required.

Consult Our Expert ENT Specialists in Singapore

At Amandela ENT Head and Neck Centre, our mission is to provide you with subspecialty care that you can place your trust on. We offer a comprehensive range of services from allergy treatment to sleep apnoea treatment to tongue and thyroid cancer treatment and so much more. Get in touch with us to get relief from your snoring today.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can Snoring be Cured Naturally?

Some simple practices such as limiting the intake of alcohol, losing weight (under the guidance of a specialist), getting adequate sleep, sleeping on your side – lying on your back could partially obstruct the airways, elevating the head of your bed, and smoking cessation can make a huge difference.

Why Do I Snore So Loudly?

When a person sleeps, the muscles in the throat, tongue, and roof of the mouth relax. This may cause their airway to narrow and get partially obstructed. The higher the obstruction, the larger the force with which the air passes through. This force can cause vibration and result in snoring. Factors such as structural defects, obesity, and alcohol misuse can also contribute to your snoring.

Why Has My Snoring Gotten Worse with Age?

As a person gets older, their muscles lose their firmness and tone. This can constrict the airways even further and lead to more snoring.

What Are the Risk Factors of Snoring?

• Age
• Gender (Men are more predisposed to snore than women)
• Genetic predisposition
• Structural abnormalities
• Nasal and sinus disorders
• Sleep posture
• Poor lifestyle habits
• Family history

How Do You Help Someone Stop Snoring While They Are Sleeping?

Here is a list of tips for you to try out:

• Roll them over so that they are sleeping on their side
• Switch on the humidifier
• Offer them an anti-snoring device (e.g., nasal strips and mouthguards)
• Get an anti-snoring pillow
• Get them to try positional therapy
• Ensure that they get adequate sleep

Which Doctor Should You Consult for Snoring?

An ENT specialist in Singapore (also known as an otolaryngologist) is a physician who specialises in the study of the ear, nose, and throat. They will be able to conduct a thorough examination to find the cause of your snoring and provide you with the appropriate treatment regimen.