Snoring Keeping You Up? Singapore’s ENT Doctors Have the Answer

You might view snoring as a harmless condition; however, should it start affecting your sleep or worse, your partner might quickly change your opinion. If you are the one who snores or has to share life with someone who does, chronic snoring can spoil the rest of everyone affected. It can even be a symptom of an underlying sleeping disorder called sleep apnea in the worst cases.

If you are willing to face the challenge head-on, the good news is that ENT specialists in Singapore are a cut above and can address every simple and complex snoring problem. From professional advice to effective treatments, your path to a peaceful night’s sleep could be closer than you think.

Why Do We Snore?

Snoring is the partial passage obstruction by which one breathes through the nostrils and pharynx, vibrating the tissues around it. This can be caused by a blocked nose or swollen tonsils (Or even extra body weight!). A person who snores wouldn’t care much about this if he only snores every once in a while, but frequent snoring would disrupt sleep patterns.

In sleep apnea, there is a stop in breathing during sleep for a few moments when the person wakes up gasping for air. It is a serious condition if left untreated and may lead to worse conditions that include heart disease and high blood pressure. Thus, treatment of snoring in Singapore is timely and more so if it is not just a noisy condition.

When to See an ENT Specialist

Not all snoring needs medical intervention, but it should be known when to seek medical aid. If you experience regular snoring that is loud in volume and often with a choking or gasping sensation, it would be best to see an ENT doctor in Singapore. ENT doctors specialise in treatments relating to the airway; therefore, they would help diagnose what’s causing you to snore.

Other symptoms that could be at issue include:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• When you wake up with a sore throat or a dry mouth
• When you get a morning headache
• When you’re unable to concentrate at work in the daytime

If a few of these characteristics resonate with you, this could be an ideal time for visiting an ENT specialist in Singapore for evaluation and treatment.

Diagnosis and Consultation: What to Expect

When you see an ENT specialist, their first step will generally be a consultation to review your history of symptoms, medical histories, and sleep patterns. He or she may also check out your airway to determine if there are any physical obstructions, such as swollen tonsils or nasal polyps, blocking the way.

For this reason, when sleep apnea in Singapore is suspected, your doctor may recommend that you undergo a sleep study, also known as polysomnography. The test will measure your sleep patterns, breathing, and other bodily functions to determine if a sleep disorder underlies the condition. With a diagnosis, your doctor can design treatment that appropriately and effectively addresses snoring.

Effective Alternatives for Snoring Treatment

There are numerous treatments for snoring, and the most appropriate one for you would always depend upon the underlying cause. The following are some common snoring treatments in Singapore for which an ENT specialist may prescribe:

 1. Lifestyle Modifications

For some, simple lifestyle changes can reduce or even eliminate snoring. For those whose snoring is caused by excess weight and how they sleep, losing the excess weight or sleeping on the side may be in order. Avoiding alcohol before bed is also a good idea, since alcohol relaxes the muscles of the throat, raising the chances of snores.

2. Nasal Treatments

If nasal congestion or a deviated septum is the cause, treatments such as sprays, decongestants, or nasal strips may be beneficial to make air easy to flow through.

3. CPAP Therapy

The most widely practised treatment is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), where a mask is put on that continuously supplies air, thus opening up the airway in the wake of sleep. CPAP can dramatically reduce snoring and prevent interruptions during your sleep.

4. Oral Devices

Oral appliance therapy is one helpful way to move the jaw and tongue during sleep to prevent airway obstruction. These are possible non-invasive solutions for individuals with mild sleep apnea or “habitual” snoring.

5. Surgery

In severe cases, surgical removal of excess tissue in the throat or correction of other structural problems causing snoring may be necessary. Some surgical options include tonsillectomy or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, which your ENT doctor may recommend for you in Singapore.

Snoring may appear to be of lesser severity, but when it affects your sleeping capacity, it will eventually affect your overall health. From easy causes like nasal congestion to more serious health conditions, like sleep apnea, Singapore’s ENT specialist may help you regain the life you once had.

So, no more sleepless nights? Want to overcome the annoying snoring? Get in touch with Dr Jenica Yong today! We will do everything possible to give you the best alternative.