Hallmark Speciality ENT Clinic · Kharadi, Pune
Snoring and sleep apnoea in adults: ENT assessment in Kharadi, Pune
Snoring is common and often harmless, but loud snoring with pauses in breathing can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea. An ENT examination looks for blockages in the nose and throat that may be contributing.
This page is for information only. For diagnosis and treatment, please consult a doctor.
Snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea
Snoring is the sound made when air flows past relaxed tissues in the throat during sleep and makes them vibrate. A blocked nose, large tonsils, a long soft palate, extra weight around the neck, alcohol and some sleeping tablets can all make it worse.
In obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), the airway narrows or closes repeatedly during sleep, so breathing stops or becomes shallow for short periods. Sleep is disturbed many times a night, often without the person knowing. Untreated OSA is linked with daytime sleepiness, high blood pressure and a higher risk of accidents.
Common symptoms
- Loud snoring on most nights
- Pauses in breathing, choking or gasping during sleep, often noticed by a partner
- Waking unrefreshed, or with a dry mouth or headache
- Sleepiness during the day, or dozing off while reading or watching TV
- Poor concentration or irritability
- Waking often at night to pass urine
- Mouth breathing because the nose is blocked
When to see an ENT specialist
See an ENT specialist if your snoring disturbs others, if someone has noticed you stop breathing or gasp during sleep, or if you feel sleepy during the day despite a full night in bed.
If you feel drowsy while driving, avoid driving until you have been assessed. Snoring in children is covered on the tonsil and adenoid surgery page.
How it is diagnosed at the clinic
Dr. Halikar will ask about your sleep, daytime tiredness and general health; it helps if a partner can describe your snoring. He will examine the nose, mouth and throat. A nasal endoscopy can show blockages at the back of the nose that cannot be seen with a torch, and the throat may also be examined with an endoscope.
If sleep apnoea is suspected, a sleep study may be advised. It records breathing and oxygen levels overnight and shows whether sleep apnoea is present and how severe it is.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the cause and on whether sleep apnoea is present. Options include:
- Losing excess weight, avoiding alcohol and sleeping tablets in the evening, and sleeping on your side
- Treating a blocked nose, for example with nasal sprays or treatment of allergies
- Surgery when a specific blockage is found, such as septoplasty or turbinate reduction for the nose, or tonsillectomy for large tonsils
- CPAP, a mask worn during sleep that keeps the airway open; the usual treatment for moderate or severe sleep apnoea
- For some people, a dental device worn at night that holds the lower jaw forward, made by a dentist
Surgery alone does not cure every case of snoring or sleep apnoea. Dr. Halikar will explain which options suit you and what results are realistic. Care is sometimes shared with other specialists, such as a chest or sleep physician.
What recovery generally looks like
Lifestyle changes and nasal treatment take a few weeks to show their effect. After nose or throat surgery, recovery usually takes one to two weeks, and the effect on snoring is judged once healing is complete. Many people using CPAP sleep better and feel less tired during the day once they are used to the mask.
Frequently asked questions
Is snoring always a sign of sleep apnoea?
No. Many people snore without having sleep apnoea. Snoring with pauses in breathing, gasping or daytime sleepiness is more likely to mean sleep apnoea and should be checked.
Can snoring be treated without surgery?
Often, yes. Weight loss, avoiding alcohol in the evening, sleeping on your side and treating a blocked nose help many people. Surgery is considered when a specific blockage is found.
Why see an ENT specialist for snoring?
Snoring and sleep apnoea are often linked to the nose and throat, for example a deviated septum, swollen turbinates or large tonsils. An ENT examination looks for these causes.
Is sleep apnoea dangerous?
Untreated moderate or severe sleep apnoea is linked with high blood pressure, heart problems and accidents caused by daytime sleepiness. It can be treated, so it is worth getting checked.
Dr. Halikar’s relevant experience
Dr. Sudhir Halikar is a Consultant ENT, Head & Neck Surgeon with 33+ years of experience. He trained at Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital and Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, is a former Associate Professor at IMSR Medical College, and performs surgery at Noble Hospital.
- Diagnostic nasal endoscopy and nasopharyngolaryngoscopy in outpatient care
- Turbinoplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery
- Tonsillectomy with and without adenoidectomy
Related treatments
This information is general and not a substitute for a consultation.