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Causes and Treatment of Snoring

Snoring is a noisy breathing condition caused by partial obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. It can occur in anyone, but it is more common in men and overweight individuals. Although it may seem harmless, snoring can be a sign of serious underlying health problems.

Warning Signs for Snoring

You should consult an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist if you experience any of the following:

  • Breathing pauses during sleep (sleep apnea)
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Morning headaches
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Waking up with a feeling of choking

Gece Horlamasının Nedenleri

1. Excess Weight: Fat tissue around the neck can narrow the airways, leading to snoring.

2. Enlarged Adenoids and Tonsils: Common in children, these can narrow the airway and cause snoring.

3. Nasal Congestion: Allergies, sinusitis, or deviated septum (nasal bone curvature) can make nasal breathing difficult.

4. Sleep Apnea: Severe airway obstructions can cause breathing pauses during sleep. Sleep apnea is closely linked to heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, thus requiring urgent treatment. Patients should undergo polysomnography to determine the severity and receive appropriate therapy.

5. Alcohol and Smoking: AAlcohol relaxes muscles while smoking irritates the airways, both promoting snoring.

6. Inappropriate Sleeping Position: Sleeping on the back can cause the tongue to fall back and block the airway.

Treatment Methods for Nighttime Snoring?

  • Weight loss
  • Surgical methods (septoplasty, tonsillectomy, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, etc.)
  • Avoiding alcohol and smoking
  • Sleeping on the side rather than on the back (if positional snoring/apnea is present)
  • Nasal sprays: Used for allergic or temporary nasal congestion

Surgical Interventions for Nighttime Snoring

  • Adenoid or tonsil surgery
  • Nasal septum surgery (septoplasty)
  • Soft palate and uvula surgery
  • Base of tongue surgery

Sleep apnea can lead to cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and metabolic disorders.
Snoring at night affects not only you but also your partner. However, with correct diagnosis and proper treatment, this problem can be easily controlled. Healthy sleep improves your quality of life. Always consult a specialist doctor for diagnosis and treatment.