Snoring is the sound produced when the air flowing into the lungs vibrates the soft palate.
Although snoring can be seen at almost any age, it is more common in older ages. The incidence rate after the age of 60 is more than 60%. Simple snoring is more of a social problem. In other words, it disturbs the environment but does not have a serious negative impact on the person's health.
Sleep apnea is a pause in breathing for 10 seconds or longer during sleep. If the number of apneas begins to occur more than 5 times per hour, this is now a health problem.
Although snoring and sleep apnea do not always occur together, the risk of apnea in those who snore is much higher than in normal individuals
WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?
The causes of snoring and apnea are often similar. These are diseases that cause upper respiratory tract obstruction, such as allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps. At older ages, many additional reasons are added.
The main risk factors are gender, age and weight. Both snoring and sleep apnea are more common in men. Its frequency increases with age (after 35 years of age). And especially weight gain (BMI > 25) is an important factor in snoring and apneas. In addition to these, hypothyroidism, fatigue, smoking and alcohol use, and use of drugs that deepen sleep are also important reasons.
WHAT DOES IT CAUSE?
Treatment-resistant high blood pressure in people with sleep apnea. , heart failure and sudden death may occur at night. Blood sugar balance is disrupted and diabetes may occur. Sexual performance decreases. Sleep quality deteriorates as the brain begins to wake up during each apnea attack. The person starts the day tired and sleepless. Work efficiency decreases, easy fatigue and sleepiness occur. It is very inconvenient for these people to drive, especially on long roads.
HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?
The first diagnosis of snoring and sleep apnea can be made by someone who sees the person while sleeping. In this case, witnessed snoring and apnea are mentioned. The person who sees the patient while sleeping states that the patient snores heavily, holds his breath suddenly and for a long time, feels like he is suffocating, and sleeps very restlessly. on the other side People who sleep alone may experience suffocation or sudden awakening at night, and often the first symptoms are daytime fatigue, distraction, decreased work performance and drowsiness. Sometimes sleep apnea can even be detected while investigating high blood pressure.
The gold standard for definitive diagnosis is the "Sleep test" (Polysomnography). In this test, brain activity (EEG), activity of leg and chest muscles (EMG), heart rhythm (ECG), eye movements (EOG) and blood oxygen level (oxygen saturation) are measured. Polysomnography is the only test used to distinguish simple snoring from apnea. Information is obtained about the duration and severity of apnea. For this test, the patient must stay in the hospital overnight. There are also portable and simpler sleep tests that the patient can apply at home.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT?
Treatment should be completely personalized. It is selected according to age, general health condition, working conditions, weight and severity of apnea. In cases of simple snoring and mild apneas that occur only when lying on the back, it may be sufficient to prevent the person from lying on his back. For this purpose, sewing a tennis ball to the back of pajamas and using some special pillows can be tried. Surgical and non-surgical treatment methods are tried in patients with moderate and severe apnea.
Intraoral appliances that help keep the tongue and jaw forward can be used in patients whose apnea is caused by the tongue falling back.
SURGERY: Various treatments are available for snoring and apnea. Surgical methods are applied. Deviation and turbinate surgeries in the nose, radiofrequency application to the soft palate, placement of intra-tissue prostheses called "pillar" on the palate, cutting or reshaping of the uvula, complete reshaping of the soft palate by removing the tonsils, tongue root suspension, suspension of the hyoid bone, Surgeries such as advancement surgeries to the lower and upper jaw, and even opening the airway (tracheostomy) by puncturing the windpipe under the larynx are performed.
Especially if the person's underlying problems such as weight, alcohol, and sleep-deepening drug use are not corrected, it recurs after a while.
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