Snoring and sleep apnea are common conditions that can significantly impact your quality of life and overall health. You are not alone in this. Occasional or mild snoring is usually not concerning. However, chronic snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea and increase your risk of serious health conditions such as stroke and heart attack.
What is the difference between snoring and sleep apnea?
Snoring results from air flowing past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing them to vibrate as you breathe. Sleep apnea, on the other hand, is a potentially serious sleep disorder where breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked during sleep, reducing or completely stopping airflow. Oxygen levels in the body can fall significantly during these episodes. Over time, this leads to organ damage, particularly in the heart and brain.
What causes snoring and sleep apnea?
Both snoring and obstructive sleep apnea involve changes in how air passes through the upper airway. It is common for people with OSA to snore. However, some people who snore do not have OSA, and not everyone has OSA snores. Because the conditions overlap, many of the same factors related to ear, nose, and throat (ENT) structures can contribute to snoring and sleep apnea. Multiple factors likely contribute to the condition if you’re a chronic snorer.
Here are some of the common reasons for snoring and sleep apnea:
Excessive weight and obesity: This is the leading cause of snoring and sleep apnea for the majority of patients. With weight gain, the tongue, palate, and wall of the throat become thicker, crowding the airway.
Nasal obstruction: Conditions such as a deviated septum, nasal polyps, or chronic sinusitis can lead to mouth breathing and increase the likelihood of snoring and sleep apnea.
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids: Particularly common in children, enlarged tonsils and adenoids can obstruct the airway and cause sleep-disordered breathing.
Soft palate and uvula issues: The uvula is a small flap of tissue at the back of your throat that is part of the soft palate. An elongated soft palate and uvula can narrow the opening from the nose to the throat, contributing to snoring and potential airway collapse.
Tongue base obstruction: In some individuals, the base of the tongue may fall back and block the airway during sleep, especially when lying on your back.
An ENT doctor spends 4 years at college, 4 years at medical school, and then 5 to 7 years after that in a residency program specializing in otolaryngology — head and neck surgery. Our board-certified ENTs pass written and oral exams and participate in continuous education to maintain their certification. When you visit one of our Arizona locations, you can trust you're seeing one of the most qualified specialists in the region and that your care will be second to none.
When To See a Physician
Snoring is very common and usually isn’t a reason for concern if it’s mild or infrequent. Loud, chronic snoring, however, can indicate a potentially serious problem. You should schedule an appointment with an ENT specialist if you:
- Snore regularly
- Experience breathing difficulties when you sleep
- Have witnessed episodes of gasping or breath-holding during sleep
- Wake up unrefreshed even after sleeping at least 7 hours
- Need 9 or more hours of sleep to feel rested
- Have regular morning headaches
- Have difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- Experience excessive sleepiness during the day
You should also consult an ENT specialist if you snore and are significantly overweight or obese.
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
Snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, but confirming a diagnosis requires evaluation by an ENT specialist. A clinical exam may include a fiberoptic scope to visualize the upper airway. A sleep study (polysomnography) monitors brain activity, eye movements, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep. In some cases, your physician may order a CT scan or MRI to check for structural issues in the upper airway.
Drug-Induced Sleep Apnea
Before selecting a surgical procedure, your physician may recommend an endoscopy under sedation of the upper airway. It allows visualization of the airway during sleep to help determine the site and pattern of the airway obstruction. Targeting the site of obstruction with an appropriate surgical procedure enhances surgical planning.
At Valley ENT, our Snoring and Sleep Apnea Center is a "specialty clinic without walls," featuring board-certified otolaryngologists across Arizona with exceptional experience evaluating snoring and sleep apnea in adult and pediatric patients. We understand that each patient is unique, and we tailor our treatment approach based on the condition's cause and the patient's age, ensuring you receive the personalized care you deserve.
Treating Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Both habitual snoring and sleep apnea can be bothersome for a spouse or partner and can disrupt your sleep. Treatments vary depending on the diagnosis and the severity of the condition. These include:
Lifestyle modifications: Weight loss, avoiding alcohol before bedtime, and sleeping on your side can often help reduce snoring and mild sleep apnea.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): This is the gold standard treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea. A CPAP machine delivers a constant stream of air pressure to keep your airway open during sleep.
Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD): Custom-fitted oral devices can help reposition the lower jaw and tongue to keep the airway open during sleep.
Surgery: Your specialist may recommend surgery to address the specific reason for your airway obstruction, including septoplasty for a deviated septum or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) to remove excess tissue in the throat. Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in children are frequently curative.
Inspire hypoglossal nerve stimulation: This newer, FDA-approved treatment option for adults and patients 13 and older with Down’s syndrome involves an implanted device that stimulates key airway muscles during sleep. It helps keep the airway open to prevent apnea; patients turn it on at night with a remote control.
Expansion Sphincter Pharyngoplasty (ESP): This procedure repositions and tightens a key muscle in the wall of the throat to expand the throat and stabilize the sidewalls. It is for patients with collapsed sides of the throat.
Barbed Suture Pharyngoplasty (BSP): Like ESP, this procedure is also for patients with sidewall collapse in the throat. It has the added advantage of shortening the palate and pulling it forward without cutting out tissue like UPPP.
Hyoid Myotomy and Suspension (Airlift): This procedure is for patients with collapse behind the tongue base and a flap of cartilage in the larynx (voice box) called the epiglottis. A small bone in the upper throat (hyoid bone) is pulled forward and upward to open the space in the lower throat. This is performed through two small incisions in the upper neck.
Being prepared will help you get the most out of your appointment. Please bring a list of medications you're currently taking and any pertinent test results—such as labs or imaging—to your appointment. Additionally, let your provider know of any drug allergies or medical conditions you have or for which you are being treated and if you've had any prior surgical procedures.
Visit Our ENT Specialists
Snoring and sleep apnea can significantly impact one’s health and quality of life. If you suspect you may have these conditions, consult an ENT specialist at Valley ENT to explore the best management options for your specific situation. They can provide a proper diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.