Snoring creates a horse-like sound made by the air passing through the throat as it passes through the loosened tissues during breathing. Pretty soon everyone snore today or tomorrow, but for some people it’s a chronic problem. Sometimes it can be an indicator of an important disease.
In sleep apnea, the airway is completely or almost completely blocked for a short time, which causes at least 10 seconds of interruption in the patient’s breathing during sleep and may be interrupted hundreds of times a night. It is claimed that this important disease, which causes many important health problems, especially cardiovascular diseases, affects 25% of men and 10 of women.
Does my snoring affect my health?
Generally, snoring is not a sign of a major health problem, but it can sometimes be a sign of a major sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea. Separated sound can interrupt your partner’s or bedmate’s sleep. It can cause significant insomnia problems in your bedmate.
What causes snoring?
The most common pathological conditions in patients with snoring and sleep arrest; septum deviation, long uvula, pharyngeal root and laterally narrowed pharyngeal structure. In children, hypertrophy of the tonsils and adenoids is the most common cause.
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Septum deviation or turbinate hypertrophy
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Unsystematic shaped bones in the face
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Hypertrophy of tonsils and adenoids
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Alcohol use
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Use of antihistamines and sleeping pills
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Big tongue root or rarely small mouth big tongue
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Excessive congestion due to allergy or infection
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overweight
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Hypertrophic structures in the mouth (especially the uvula and soft palate)
What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea?
Adult: Child:
tight snoring snoring
Witnessed apnea hyperactivity
Daytime sleepiness aggression and behavior
Drooling and dryness disorder
Night sweats, frequent infection and cough
teeth grinding
Inability to rest during sleep
Frequent episodes of awakening during sleep
lack of concentration
Gastroesophageal reflux
personality change
high blood pressure
Loss of memory
Frequent urination at night
morning headache
impotence
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
A complete physical examination, including vital signs, and measurement of weight and neck thickness should be performed in every patient with sleep apnea. Clinical and fiberoptic endoscopic examination is critical in the evaluation of these patients. In addition, sleep endoscopy has an important place in the dynamic evaluation of the anatomical structures of patients with snoring and sleep apnea. In addition, imaging systems such as Radiological examinations, cephalometry, CT, MR reveal the differences in anatomical structures.
How are snoring and sleep apnea treated?
Snoring and sleep apnea diseases can be treated.
The following factors should be considered in the treatment selection of patients with sleep apnea. ;
1) severity of disease 2) patient’s anatomy 3) patient’s wishes 4) concomitant diseases
What are behavioral changes (lifestyle changes)?
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sleep state therapy
Lying on your side or face down instead of on your back
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weight loss
Causes a decrease in tissue mass that narrows the airway
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Avoiding sedatives and alcohol
Avoiding alcohol and tranquilizers, which cause muscle tone to decrease during sleep, is a valuable part of the treatment.
Surgical Techniques Applied According to the Location of the Obstruction:
NOSE
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Septoplasty
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Radiofrequency to turbinate hypertrophy
ORAL CAVITY
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Tonsillectomy (Removal of the tonsils)
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Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (pull the soft palate forward and suspend the upper)
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Radiofrequency to the soft palate/tongue root
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Reducing the root of the language with coblation technology
SKELETON FOR ROOF
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Maxillomandibular advancement (pull the lower and upper jaws forward)
