Focus Area
Snoring & Sleep Apnea
Habitual snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea are airway problems, not just noisy sleep. The first step is finding exactly where the airway narrows — then treating that level.
Overview
Why snoring deserves a proper assessment
Snoring is the sound of turbulent airflow through a narrowed upper airway. In some people the narrowing is mild and the main problem is noise. In others the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing obstructive sleep apnoea — brief pauses in breathing with drops in oxygen.
An ENT assessment identifies the level of obstruction, and a sleep study measures whether apnoea is present and how severe it is. Treatment is then matched to those findings rather than applied blindly.
Signs worth getting checked
- Loud snoring most nights
- Witnessed pauses in breathing or gasping
- Waking unrefreshed or with morning headaches
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty concentrating or irritability
- Children: mouth breathing, restless sleep, bedwetting
Where the airway narrows
Obstruction can occur at more than one level, which is why examination matters before treatment.
Nose
Septal deviation, turbinate enlargement, allergy or polyps limiting airflow at night.
Palate
A long or bulky soft palate that vibrates and narrows the airway during sleep.
Tonsils
Enlarged tonsils or adenoids narrowing the throat — a common cause in children.
Tongue base
Tongue-base or lower airway collapse identified on endoscopic assessment.
Patient Journey
A stepwise plan
- 1
Sleep history
Symptoms, sleep pattern, partner observations and daytime sleepiness scoring.
- 2
Airway examination
Nasal endoscopy and throat examination to locate the level of narrowing.
- 3
Sleep study
Referral for a sleep study where obstructive sleep apnoea is suspected.
- 4
Stepwise treatment
Lifestyle and positional advice, nasal and allergy treatment, CPAP where indicated.
- 5
Surgery if suitable
Targeted procedures considered only for selected anatomical causes.
FAQs
Common questions
Is snoring always sleep apnoea?
No. Many people snore without sleep apnoea. However, loud habitual snoring with witnessed breathing pauses, gasping or daytime sleepiness should be assessed so that obstructive sleep apnoea is not missed.
What does an ENT assessment involve?
A detailed sleep and symptom history, examination of the nose, palate, tonsils and tongue base, endoscopic airway assessment, and a referral for a sleep study where indicated.
Do I need a sleep study?
A sleep study is advised when the history suggests obstructive sleep apnoea. It measures breathing and oxygen levels during sleep and helps grade severity, which guides treatment.
Is surgery always needed?
No. Treatment is stepwise — weight and lifestyle measures, treating nasal blockage and allergy, positional advice, and CPAP where appropriate. Surgery is considered only for selected anatomical causes.
My child snores loudly — is that normal?
Loud, persistent snoring with mouth breathing or restless sleep in a child is not typical and is often related to enlarged adenoids or tonsils. It deserves an ENT assessment.
Concerned about snoring or disturbed sleep?
Book a consultation with Dr. Aashima Chopra, or send a message on WhatsApp and the clinic will get back to you.