Snoring or Sleep Apnea? How ENT Specialists Help You Sleep Better

Snoring or Sleep Apnea? How ENT Specialists Help You Sleep Better
Date posted:  29-07-2025

Are you tired of waking up feeling groggy and unrested, or have you been told that your snoring is keeping others awake at night? Do you often find yourself wondering if it's more than just a harmless habit? Sleep disturbances like snoring and sleep apnea can have serious consequences on your health, but the good news is that ENT specialists can help. In this blog, we'll explore the difference between snoring and sleep apnea, and how an ENT specialist can help you sleep better and breathe easier

Snoring vs. Sleep Apnea: What’s the Difference?

Snoring is the sound produced by the vibration of soft tissues in the throat when airflow is partially blocked during sleep.

Sleep Apnea involves repeated pauses in breathing while sleeping, leading to drops in oxygen levels and disrupted sleep. Common symptoms include loud snoring, gasping for air, morning headaches, and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Sleep apnea if left undiagnosed and untreated can lead to an increased risk in cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night's sleep, you might have sleep apnea.

The main types of sleep apnea are:

  1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which is the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax and block the flow of air into the lungs

  2. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA), which occurs when the brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing

  3. Treatment-Emergent Central Sleep Apnea, also known as complex sleep apnea, which happens when someone has OSA — diagnosed with a sleep study — that converts to CSA when receiving therapy for OSA

The most common symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include:

  • Loud snoring

  • Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person

  • Gasping for air during sleep

  • Awakening with a dry mouth

  • Morning headache

  • Difficulty staying asleep, known as insomnia

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness, known as hypersomnia

  • Difficulty paying attention while awake

  • Irritability

Sleep Apnea Diagnosis : the Role of ENT Specialists 

ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) specialists are uniquely equipped to diagnose and treat the underlying causes of snoring and sleep apnea. 

They:

  • Evaluate the structure of your nose, throat, and airway to identify blockages.

  • Offer a range of treatments, from lifestyle guidance to advanced surgical interventions.

  • Coordinate with sleep labs for detailed sleep studies, if needed.

An evaluation often involves overnight monitoring of your breathing and other body functions during sleep testing at a sleep center. Home sleep testing also might be an option.

Tests to detect sleep apnea include:

  • Nocturnal polysomnography. During this test, you're hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep.

  • Home sleep tests. Your health care provider might provide you with simplified tests to be used at home to diagnose sleep apnea. These tests usually measure your heart rate, blood oxygen level, airflow and breathing patterns. Your provider is more likely to recommend polysomnography in a sleep testing facility, rather than a home sleep test, if central sleep apnea is suspected.

Treatment Options

Therapies for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

1. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): Delivers constant pressure  to keep the upper airway open. Most common and reliable method, but some find it cumbersome.

2. Other Airway Pressure Devices: Auto-CPAP and Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) devices that adjust pressure automatically or provide different pressures for inhaling and exhaling.

3. Oral Appliances: Designed to keep the throat open, these can be easier to use than CPAP but less effective. Custom-fit devices from a dentist can help relieve snoring and mild OSA.

4. Surgery: Considered after other treatments have failed or for specific jaw structure problems. Surgical options include:

  •     Tissue removal (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty)

  •     Tissue shrinkage (radiofrequency ablation)

  •     Jaw repositioning (maxillomandibular advancement)

  •     Implants

  •     Nerve stimulation

  •     Tracheostomy (creating a new air passageway)

  •     Other surgeries to remove enlarged tonsils or adenoids or for weight loss

Therapies for Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)

1. Treatment of Associated Medical Problems: Addressing underlying conditions like heart or neuromuscular disorders.

2. Supplemental Oxygen: Using oxygen while sleeping to help regulate breathing.

3. CPAP, BiPAP, and Adaptive Servo-Ventilation (ASV): These devices can help regulate breathing patterns.

4. Medicine Changes: Adjusting medications to manage breathing or discontinuing medications that worsen CSA.

5. ASV: A device that learns and regulates breathing patterns, but may not be suitable for those with advanced heart failure.

Experience Unparalleled Sleep Care at Believers Church Medical College Hospital

At Believers Church Medical College Hospital, our ENT department is dedicated to providing exceptional sleep care that addresses your unique needs. Here's what sets us apart:

  • World-class diagnostics: We utilize advanced sleep endoscopy and allergy testing to accurately diagnose sleep disorders.

  • Expert care: Our team of skilled ENT specialists combines medical and surgical expertise to provide comprehensive treatment options.

  • Patient-centric approach: We prioritize your comfort and safety, ensuring a tailored approach to your care.

  • Integrated care: Our team collaborates with sleep medicine, pulmonology, and nutrition specialists to provide holistic management of sleep disorders.

Why Choose Us?

  • State-of-the-art facilities: Our operation theatres and endoscopy suites are equipped with the latest technology.

  • Compassionate care: Our team of consultants is dedicated to providing personalized attention and support throughout your recovery.

  • One-stop solution: We offer all relevant diagnostics and treatments under one roof, making it convenient for you to access the care you need.

Take the First Step towards Better Sleep

Don’t let snoring or sleep issues affect your health. Book an appointment with our ENT specialists at Believers Church Medical College Hospital for a thorough checkup and easy-to-understand treatment options. 

Learn more about our ENT Department, and see how our ENT experts can help you sleep better. Everyone deserves a good night’s sleep — book your appointment now and take the first step towards feeling your best.


 

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