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ENT Conditions > Throat

Conditions of the Throat

Snoring and Sleep Apnoea

Snoring is produced by vibration of pharyngeal structures such as the tongue soft palate and pharyngeal walls. Snoring can be treated by laser palatoplasty and or tonsillectomy.

Apart from being irritating to partners, it is also appreciated that snoring may also be the sign of a more profound problem known as obstructive sleep apnoea.

Disruption of normal sleep patterns produces a state of sleep deprivation, which can result in daytime lethargy, hypersomnolence and loss of memory and concentration. Other potential complications are raised pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary hypertension and cardiac dysrhythmias.

Sleep-related breathing disorders are now more readily identified via full ENT investigation
and through sleep studies.

Management of sleep disorders

Medical treatment may be given a trial in patients with mild snoring and sleep apnoea. A reduction in weight and alcohol can produce some benefit. However severe symptoms require more urgent treatment. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may be used to prevent pharyngeal collapse or mandibular positioning splints to advance the lover jaw may be advised.

Sometimes nasal surgery may be required for nasal polyposis or a deflected septum.