Millions suffer from sleep apnea and snoring, yet they simply dismiss these, thinking they are “normal” disruptions while sleeping. However, these simple disruptions can have serious effects. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine points out that untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of heart failure by 140% and the risk of stroke by 30%. The disease can go unnoticed as the symptoms appear at night while sleeping and the patient is unaware. Initial consultation with an ENT doctor in Gurgaon can be helpful. These specialists offer effective diagnosis and personalized treatment that enables patients to sleep peacefully and feel better overall. In this blog, we’ll understand the key differences between sleep apnea & snoring and how an ENT specialist can help.
Understanding Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Apnea and snoring are terms used by most individuals interchangeably. Although both have some things in common but the symptoms, causes and health risks are entirely different. A brief explanation of both is given below:
What is Snoring?
Snoring is a condition in which air cannot pass through the nose and throat during sleep and causes tissues in airway to vibrate. Most of the times snoring is common and harmless but it can be an indication of a serious medical issue in some cases.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder wherein the breathing process stops and restarts while sleeping at night. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea in which the passage of air gets blocked or narrowed.
How are Snoring and Sleep Apnea Different?
Understanding the difference between snoring and sleep apnea can help you recognize when to seek professional care.
| Aspect | Snoring | Sleep Apnea |
| Cause | Vibration of soft tissues in the throat or nose | The airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep |
| Breathing | Continuous, though noisy | Interrupted with pauses that last seconds to minutes |
| Symptoms | Harsh or rattling noise while sleeping | Snoring, choking, gasping, or pauses in breathing |
| Daytime Impact | Usually mild tiredness | Excessive sleepiness, poor focus, irritability |
| Health Risks | Typically low | Linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and stroke |
| Medical Attention | Not always needed unless severe | Requires diagnosis and treatment by a sleep or ENT specialist |
Signs That Snoring Could Be Sleep Apnea
Snoring is natural, but if the snoring occurs regularly, is excessively loud, and is connected with some other symptoms, then perhaps it is an indication of something severe: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
As compared to mere snoring, OSA is a real medical condition. It occurs with recurring episodes of cessation and resumption of breathing during sleep which causes the disruption of oxygen and sleep. Although it can be diagnosed after an appropriate test by your doctor, knowing the signs will help you to know when to consult your doctor.
Nighttime Symptoms:
Few, rather than all, are the nighttime symptoms of OSA. It is due to the fact that there are few during nighttime hours that few know that they have an issue unless their sleeping partner or bedmate tells them. Some common symptoms at night include:
- Harsh and non-stop snoring that disturbs other individuals
- It takes a few seconds to a few minutes of breath-holding.
- Choking or gagging to breath air into the lungs, most commonly waking you abruptly.
- Restless sleep, frequent movement and turning, or waking up tired.
Daytime Symptoms:
As the symtpoms occur at night, it disrupts your sleep which eventually affects your mood and behaviour with other people during the day. Some of the most common daytime symptoms are:
- Excessive sleepiness during the daytime
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Restless sleep
- High blood pressure
- Sore throat after waking
Symptoms in Children:
OSA children usually present with symptoms different from adults. Instead of daytime sleepiness, they usually exhibit:
- Aggression or irritable mood
- Trouble concentrating which interferes with their learning and performance
- Restlessness during the day
Recognition of the symptoms at an early stage is the first step toward obtaining proper treatment. You or your child must see a trained ENT or sleep specialist for proper treatment and diagnosis if you are experiencing the following symptoms.
How an ENT Specialist Can Assist in Treating Sleep Apnea
An ENT specialist plays a major role in diagnosing as well as curing sleep apnea. They help you in the following ways:
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Diagnosis
An ENT doctor begins with an assessment of whether or not there is an airway obstruction, such as enlarged tonsils, septal deviation, or nasal congestion. They may refer for a sleep test (polysomnography) to ascertain the condition and severity of the condition.
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Treatment Options
Depending upon the findings, an ENT specialist can either recommend lifestyle changes, medical treatment or surgical treatments.
- Medical treatments such as nasal sprays, CPAP machines or oral devices can help in keeping airways open while you are asleep.
- Surgical treatment might be the initial treatment in certain situations. Some of the most common treatments include septoplasty, tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy.
- Lifestyle changes like weight loss, quitting smoking, alchup smoking & alcohol or changing your sleeping position.
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Long-term Support
In addition to the therapy, follow-up sessions by the ENT specialists are also undertaken to track progress and make any adjustments to the treatment. They address associated sickness like long-standing nasal congestion, allergy, or throat disease, which have a tendency to complicate sleep apnea.
An ENT doctor is a specialist of the airway; they are trained to offer surgical and non-surgical interventions depending on the patient. Correct diagnosis and treatment enable patients to sleep well, reduce health risk, and have overall good health.
Conclusion
Snoring and sleep apnea seem harmless at first glance but if they are not treated at the right time, they can be very harmful for your health in the long run. From troubled sleep to heart disease and stroke, the illness has too many risks. Paras Health’s experienced ENT specialists use advanced diagnosis tools and tailored care to calm patients’ breathing and improve their sleep. Don’t just disregard the symptoms, whether it is habitual snoring, daytime sleepiness, or stopping of breath while sleeping; timely intervention can be a miracle. Book a consultation with ENT specialists at Paras Hospitals today and take the first steps towards a healthy life.
