Snoring Clinic

Understanding Snoring and Sleep Apnoea

Snoring occurs when the flow of air through the mouth and nose is partially obstructed during sleep, causing the surrounding tissues to vibrate and create noise. Common causes of snoring include:

• Nasal congestion or obstruction
• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
• Overweight or obesity
• Alcohol consumption before bedtime
• Sleep position, especially sleeping on the back

Sleep Apnoea is a more severe condition where the airway becomes completely blocked, causing breathing to stop temporarily. This leads to frequent awakenings during the night, resulting in poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Symptoms of sleep apnoea include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, morning headaches, and difficulty concentrating.

Consultation and Diagnosis

At ASET Hospital’s Snoring Clinic, the process begins with a thorough consultation with an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist. During the consultation, the specialist will:

• Review the patient’s medical history and symptoms
• Conduct a physical examination of the nose, mouth, and throat
• Discuss lifestyle factors that may contribute to snoring

For suspected sleep apnoea, our surgeons may refer you for further specialised diagnostic tests, such as:

• Sleep Study (Polysomnography): An overnight test conducted either at the hospital or at home, which monitors breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and other parameters during sleep.
• Home Sleep Apnoea Test (HSAT): A simplified version of the sleep study that can be conducted at home.

Treatment Options

ASET Hospital offers a range of treatment options tailored to the underlying cause of snoring and the severity of the condition. These include:

• Lifestyle Modifications:
• Weight loss, if obesity is a contributing factor
• Avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bedtime
• Changing sleep positions, such as sleeping on the side
• Medical Treatments:
• Nasal Decongestants: To alleviate nasal congestion
• Oral Appliances: Custom-made devices worn during sleep to keep the airway open
• Surgical Interventions:
• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): Removal of excess tissue from the throat to widen the airway
• Radiofrequency Ablation: Shrinking of tissues in the airway using radiofrequency energy
• Septoplasty: Correction of a deviated septum to improve airflow
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP):
• For patients with sleep apnoea, CPAP therapy involves wearing a mask during sleep that delivers continuous air pressure to keep the airway open.

At ASET, we want our patients to have the best possible experience when undergoing any procedure. Check our patient journeys to see the experiences of our happy patients.