Snoring

Dr Barrie Tan

Consultant ENT Specialist

MBBS (Singapore), MMed (ENT) (Singapore), MRCS (Edinburgh, UK), FAMS (Otolaryngology)

Snoring affects many, with about 1 in 4 Singaporeans being loud habitual snorers. While infrequent snoring might not be cause for concern, persistent and loud snoring often signals sleep apnea. This serious condition can lead to a range of health complications if not properly addressed.

What Is Snoring?

Snoring is the rattling, snorting or grumbling sound some people make during sleep. This noisy breathing occurs when airflow is obstructed or when relaxed tissues in your throat vibrate as you breathe. It is a common condition that can affect anyone, from infants to adults.

What Are the Causes of Snoring?

Snoring results from a partial obstruction in the airway, leading to vibrations as air passes through structures like the soft palate, tonsils, adenoids, and tongue. Several factors can contribute to this blockage, such as:

Alcohol Consumption - Alcohol relaxes throat muscles, reducing your natural defences against airway obstruction and restricting airflow.
Nasal Problems - Chronic congestion, allergies, sinus infections, a deviated septum, or nasal polyps can block nasal passages and contribute to snoring.
Sleep Deprivation - Not getting enough sleep can cause throat muscles to relax excessively, leading to increased snoring.
Sleep Position - Snoring is often loudest and most frequent when sleeping on your back due to gravity narrowing the airway. Pillows that are too soft or large can also worsen this.
Mouth Anatomy - A low, thick soft palate, extra throat tissue (common in overweight individuals), or an elongated uvula can narrow the airway and increase vibrations.

What Are
the Risk Factors for
Snoring?

Several factors can increase your likelihood of snoring:

Being Overweight or Obese
Snoring is more common in individuals with a higher body mass index (BMI), as excess tissue around the neck can narrow the airway.
Age
As we age, muscle tone naturally decreases, including in the throat. This can lead to a constriction of the airways, making snoring more common.
Gender
Snoring is generally more prevalent in men than in women.
Family History
An individual with a biological parent who snores is more likely to experience snoring themselves, suggesting a genetic predisposition.

What Are
the Symptoms of
Snoring?

Snoring sounds vary widely among individuals, ranging from soft whistling and quiet vibrations to louder grumbling and snorting. However, snoring linked to obstructive sleep apnea often presents with additional accompanying symptoms like:

Pauses in breathing during sleep
Gasping or choking at night
Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
Difficulty concentrating
Morning headaches
Dry mouth or sore throat in the morning
Restless or disturbed sleep
Irritability or mood changes

If these symptoms are present, it is crucial to consult an ENT specialist for a detailed evaluation.

Dr Barrie Tan is a consultant ENT specialist in Singapore with a focused interest in snoring and sleep apnea.

Schedule a consultation for a detailed evaluation.

How Is Snoring Diagnosed?

During your consultation, your ENT doctor will thoroughly assess your symptoms by asking you and your sleep partner (if any) questions to understand the severity of the snoring. A physical examination of your nose, mouth and throat will also be performed.

To further investigate the cause of your snoring, your doctor might also require some tests:

Imaging Tests - An X-ray, CT scan, or MRI may be requested to examine your airway's structure and identify issues like a deviated septum.
Sleep Study (Polysomnography) - Performed if a sleep disorder like sleep apnea is suspected, this test measures your heart rate, breathing patterns, and brain activity while you sleep.

What Are the Treatment Options for Snoring?

Your ENT doctor may recommend various treatment options based on the severity of snoring, your health history and personal preference. These options can range from conservative approaches to surgical procedures.

Non-surgical Snoring Treatments

These remedies primarily aim to improve airflow through the airway to reduce snoring. Common options include:

Lifestyle Changes - The ENT specialist may recommend adjusting your sleep position, avoiding alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight to help reduce snoring.
Nasal Strips - For snoring caused by congestion, nasal strips can help keep the nasal passages open and facilitate better nasal breathing.
Oral Appliances - A mouth guard may be provided to help keep your jaw, tongue, and soft palate in the correct position, thereby improving airflow and reducing snoring.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) - This procedure uses low-intensity radiofrequency energy to shrink tissue in the soft palate, tongue, or nose, improving airflow.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machine - If sleep apnea is suspected, this may be used to deliver steady air pressure, improving your breathing while you sleep.

Surgical Snoring Treatments

For severe snoring, surgery may be recommended to correct underlying structural issues contributing to the problem. Surgical options include:

Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) - This procedure reduces excess tissue in your soft palate to improve airflow.
Septoplasty - If a deviated septum is contributing to snoring, a septoplasty can correct it, enhancing nasal airflow.
Tongue or Palatal Surgery - Recommended for individuals with a narrow, floppy or elongated soft palate, or a bulky tongue, these surgeries aim to open the airway.
Tonsillectomy or Adenoidectomy - A surgeon may remove excess tissue from the back of your throat (tonsillectomy) or the back of your nose (adenoidectomy) to clear the airway.

How to Prevent Snoring

Preventing or reducing snoring often involves simple lifestyle adjustments and changes to your sleep habits. Here are some effective strategies to try:

Avoid Alcohol and Sedatives - Limit or avoid alcoholic beverages and sedative medications before bedtime, as they relax throat muscles and can worsen snoring.
Manage Nasal Congestion - Talk to your doctor about medications or strategies to relieve chronic nasal congestion, which can significantly improve airflow.
Maintain a Healthy Weight - Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce excess tissue in the throat that contributes to snoring.
Adjust Sleep Position - Try sleeping on your side instead of your back. You can also elevate your head slightly during sleep to help keep your airways more open.

When to See an ENT Specialist for Snoring

While snoring can be harmless, it is crucial to note any accompanying symptoms that might signal sleep apnea. These include disrupted breathing and gasping for air during sleep, as well as daytime sleepiness, fatigue, headaches, and difficulty concentrating.

Sleep apnea poses significant health risks. If you snore loudly, consult an ENT specialist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the most suitable treatment option for you.

At Barrie Tan ENT Head & Neck Surgery, we specialise in comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for all forms of snoring and sleep apnea.

Schedule a consultation to explore your options.

Speak with us

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does snoring mean sleep apnea?

While loud, frequent snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, it does not automatically mean you have the condition. However, if you or your sleep partner notice these symptoms accompanied by pauses in breathing or gasping for air during sleep, it is wise to consult an ENT doctor for a proper diagnosis. They can determine if your snoring is a sign of an underlying sleep disorder.

Can children or teenagers suffer from chronic snoring?

Yes, children and teenagers can suffer from chronic snoring. While less common than in adults, persistent snoring in younger individuals often signals underlying issues like enlarged tonsils or adenoids, allergies or obstructive sleep apnea, necessitating medical attention.

How do I choose the right snoring specialist in Singapore?

To choose the right snoring specialist in Singapore, first ensure they are accredited by the Ministry of Health. It is best to look for an ENT specialist who specifically focuses on snoring, sleep apnea and other sleep-related breathing disorders. Always consider their experience in this field and review available patient testimonials to gauge their expertise and patient care.

Our Snoring Specialist

Dr Barrie Tan

Consultant ENT Specialist in Singapore

MBBS (Singapore), MMed (ENT) (Singapore)
MRCS (Edinburgh, UK), FAMS (Otolaryngology)

Dr Barrie Tan is a dedicated ENT specialist with over 20 years of experience and a keen focus on hearing loss and cochlear implants, among others. Prior to setting up his own practice, Dr Tan was the Head of the ENT Department at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) – the largest ENT department in Singapore – as well as the Director of the Centre for Hearing and Ear Implants at SGH.

Dr Tan was a President’s Scholar and completed his subspeciality Fellowship in Otology, Hearing Implant, Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery at the Ear Science Institute in Australia. Today, Dr Tan remains actively involved in the ENT fraternity, holding several leadership positions and being engaged in the nurturing of the next generation of ENT surgeons. He has organized numerous ENT conferences and continues to devote his time towards meaningful volunteer work and medical missions.

More about Dr Barrie Tan

Snoring

What Is Snoring?

What Are the Causes of Snoring?

What Are the Risk Factors for Snoring?

What Are the Symptoms of Snoring?

How Is Snoring Diagnosed?

What Are the Treatment Options for Snoring?

Non-surgical Snoring Treatments

Surgical Snoring Treatments

How to Prevent Snoring

When to See an ENT Specialist for Snoring

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does snoring mean sleep apnea?

Can children or teenagers suffer from chronic snoring?

How do I choose the right snoring specialist in Singapore?

Our Snoring Specialist

What Are
the Risk Factors for
Snoring?

What Are
the Symptoms of
Snoring?