Snoring Treatment

Snoring is in most cases a harmless phenomenon that most often irritates the person sleeping next to you. Loud and continuous snoring can result in poorer sleep quality and indicate the development of other problems such as sleep apnea or diabetes.

Although there is no universal cure for snoring, there are methods that are successful in treating this problem, from changing eating habits to surgeries that allow easier airflow through the airways.

Snoring occurs when our airways become narrower due to relaxed pharyngeal muscles, a tongue that blocks airflow, or a swollen uvula (bell-shaped tissue). Narrowed ducts make it difficult for air to flow, and vibrations occur with each inhalation.

The resulting vibrations are the reason why we snore, and the more the airways are narrowed, the louder the snoring will be.

Sleeping on your back, a stuffy nose or a curvature of the nasal septum can accentuate snoring even more due to blocked airways that redirect air directly to the place where the vibrations occur.

The likelihood of snoring is increased in the case of:

• overweight

During greater physical exertion, we usually start breathing through the mouth to supply the body with more oxygen.

In overweight people, such phenomena are more common due to greater physical exertion. Breathing through the mouth becomes normal over time, and due to relaxed pharyngeal muscles, snoring occurs.

• eating foods rich in sugar

Foods rich in simple sugars cause the appearance of mucus, also known as phlegm, which can accumulate in the upper respiratory tract. An unbalanced diet rich in refined products can result in narrowing of the airways and problems with snoring.

• smoking and alcohol consumption

Cigarette smoke dries out the mucous membranes, and in order to restore them, there is an increased secretion of mucus overnight. The same situation occurs with the consumption of alcohol, which dehydrates the body. Due to the increased secretion of mucus, the airways narrow, which causes snoring.

• consumption of sleeping pills

Sedatives and sleeping pills can help you fall asleep more easily, but they are also responsible for additional muscle relaxation that can make the airways narrower and thus be responsible for the occurrence of snoring.

• Age

Snoring in the elderly is a normal phenomenon. Over time, the muscles of the tongue and neck weaken and there are changes in breathing, including snoring.

Snoring is considered harmless in most cases and does not necessarily harm your health. If you notice that snoring significantly affects the quality of your sleep, it is recommended to go for a check-up.

You should make an appointment for an examination if you notice the following symptoms:

• fatigue and exhaustion after sleep
• Dry mouth after waking up.
• morning headache
• Inability to concentrate on tasks
• Impaired memory
• feeling of suffocation during sleep
• chest pain
• you fall asleep easily, no matter the time or place

Some of the symptoms may appear due to bad habits such as smoking or alcohol consumption. However, if symptoms appear frequently, regardless of activities or consumption of certain products, we recommend that you go for a check-up.

These ailments can significantly affect your health, and can also point to disorders such as sleep apnea or even type II diabetes, which can cause serious complications if not treated in time.

Examination of snoring consists of several diagnostic methods:

• ENT examination

A specialist in otorhinolaryngology performs an examination of the ear, throat and nose and finds possible causes of snoring. An ENT examination can notice thickenings and abnormalities in the structure of the tissues that result in snoring.

• Epworth Questionnaire

This questionnaire aims to check for changes in habits caused by snoring. The questionnaire consists of scenarios in which you are likely to take a nap. Such as:

The questionnaire consists of several questions of similar categories, and based on the answers, an assessment of your problems with snoring and the severity of the disorder is given.

• The Berlin Questionnaire

A questionnaire of this type consists of 3 categories of questions:

1. general questions about snoring: “Has your snoring ever bothered anyone?”
2. questions about the impact of poor sleep on everyday life: “Have you ever fallen asleep while driving?”
3. questions related to blood pressure and BMI (BMI – body mass index = weight-to-height ratio)

There are at least two questions in each category and each is given a final grade, which is recorded with a score of 1-3. If in at least two categories the sum of the questions is equal to a score of 2, then there is a possibility of developing other problems such as sleep apnea.

• Polysomnography

This examination involves an overnight stay in the hospital to observe your vital functions during sleep. Your breathing rhythm and heart rate are observed, and the appearance of snoring gives insight into possible complications.

• CT and MRI scans

CT and MRI scans give insight into the patency of the airways. Any narrowing of the channel will be easily visible in the recordings.

You can treat snoring problems on your own by adhering to the following guidelines:

• Maintain weight with a balanced diet
• Avoid alcohol and cigarettes
• Do not sleep on your back
• Avoid consuming sleeping pills

If the above guidelines still do not stop snoring problems, professional help should be sought.

At the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic, we offer various solutions that will eliminate snoring and provide you with better quality sleep, after which you will wake up cheerful and energetic.

1. Dental splint for sleep – Somnodent

A dental sleep splint is an appropriate solution for mild and moderate problems with snoring or apnea. For your problems, we use Somnodent, one of the most modern dental splints, and is also known as MRA (mandible repositioning device).

A dental splint prevents your tongue, larynx, uvula and soft palate from closing your airways during sleep. With a slight movement of the lower jaw, by a maximum of one centimeter, the airways are released.

The splint is custom-made and maximally adjustable, comfortable and worn exclusively at night. The minimum vertical height prevents damage to the gums, and the patented coating of the splint allows for easier maintenance.

1. Nose surgery

Snoring problems can arise as a result of poor air passage through the nasal cavity. An ENT examination and endoscopy can diagnose disorders such as deviated septum, polyps in the nose or hypertrophy of the nasal concha.

These phenomena are best treated with surgery. Thanks to the development of medicine and technology, these procedures are performed with minimally invasive techniques that cause fewer complications, and the recovery itself is much shorter.

For nose surgeries, we use equipment such as basic surgical tools, but also laser and radiofrequency devices that remove or deform excess thickened tissue with minimal incisions.

Nasal surgeries are performed under the action of general anesthesia, so the procedures are completely painless. After the surgery, you will be discharged to home care with postoperative instructions for the shortest possible recovery.

If the operation is carried out correctly, recovery after nose surgery generally does not cause major complications. Standard side effects such as infection, allergic reaction or bleeding are possible.

1. Surgery of the palate and uvula

Although the behavior of the soft palate and uvula is largely responsible for snoring, in a small number of cases we opt for this type of operation Removing part of the palate, tongue or uvula can have serious consequences for speech and swallowing, and it is not excluded that snoring problems reappear.

Soft palate and uvula surgery provides additional space in the oral cavity, which makes the airways passable, and thus the chances of snoring are reduced.

At the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic , we do everything to ensure you a quality and peaceful sleep. We are aware of the complications that can develop with such a simple phenomenon as snoring.

Snoring can also serve as a warning for the development of other health problems. By coming for an examination, we can recognize and treat possible disorders in time and prevent their further development.

Snoring and sleep apnea often go under the radar because they are considered normal due to colds, dry air, stuffy nose, etc. If these phenomena are frequent at all times of the year, we recommend that you go for a check-up as soon as possible.

Make an appointment today by calling +385 1 2444 646 or by filling out the online form.