Snoring occurs due to narrowing of the airway causing vibration
of the soft tissues of the throat during sleep. It is more
common in men generally whereby 45% of men and 30% of women
snore on a regular basis. Risk factors for snoring include
overweight, increasing age, nasal blockage, sedating
medications, alcohol, sleeping position and thick neck. It is
important to recognize if snoring is related to an underlying
medical problem such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or is an
isolated problem What is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? It is a
severe form of snoring which has serious health consequences.
OSA occurs due to complete collapse or obstruction of the upper
airway, at one or a combination of these levels: - Nasal Airway
- Soft Palate/Tonsils - Tongue Base - Pharyngeal Walls Symptoms
of OSA - Loud, irregular snoring - Daytime tiredness and
sleepiness - Early morning headaches - Poor concentration -
Deterioration of intellectual capabilities - Mood swings
Diagnosis of OSA A complete ear, nose and throat e