Mechanics and Treatment of Snoring

Snoring

Snoring is caused by the collapse and obstruction of the upper airways during sleep. This causes vibration of the soft tissues which results in the snore.

Factors contributing to snoring

One of the most important factors in snoring is weight. People who are overweight are much more likely to snore and by reducing their weight the snoring will often reduce. Collar size is an important measure and people with a collar size of 16.5 or above are much more likely to snore.

Snoring will also be increased by alcohol and smoking.

As people get older they are more likely to snore.

Males are more likely to snore than females.

Assessment

To successfully treat snoring we need to know the site of the obstruction. This can be at the palate level, at the back of the tongue, or from the side wall of the throat. A blocked nose at night can also contribute to snoring.

In the clinic we determine the site of snoring by a careful history and examination, and by passing a small telescope through the nose into the throat (flexible nasendoscopy). We will also measure your height and weight to calculate your body mass index (BMI).

Treatment

The treatment offered depends on the site of the snoring. Treatments can be offered to unblock the nose or tighten the soft palate to reduce vibration.

Coblation

Coblation is a treatment to tighten the soft palate and reduce the snoring. If it is felt to be the correct treatment we can perform this in the outpatients at the first visit. It involves having a local anaesthetic injected into the palate, (similar to going to the dentist). A probe is then passed into the palate which will cause the palate to tighten up and reduce snoring.

Treatment Success

No treatment for snoring is 100% successful. The success rate decreases with time and especially if weight increases.

Sleep Apneoa

Sleep apnoea is a condition where the airways collapse and breathing ceases for a few seconds at a time. It is most commonly caused by obstruction and is related to snoring. In its severest form it is associated with an increased risk of stroke and heart attacks.

Diagnosis

Sleep apnoea is properly diagnosed by undergoing a sleep study and measuring oxygen concentration in the blood during sleep.

People with sleep apnoea will feel tired during the day and we can check for sleep apnoea by using a simple questionnaire called and Epworth Score. Contact us for more information.

For more information on snoring, please go to the ENT UK website.