QUESTION 1: What is the difference between sleep apnea and snoring?

ANSWER:  In sleep apnea, breathing is interrupted or decreased repeatedly during sleep. Snoring, on the other hand, is an annoying sound due to vibrations in the upper airway without respiratory events.

 

QUESTION 2: Should snoring be treated?

ANSWER:  According to our current information, snoring is not considered a disease. However, there are strong claims that the vibrations caused by snoring damage the muscles and nerves that make up our throat, and this affects the development of apnea. In addition, recent studies have shown that the vibration trauma caused by snoring causes damage to the vessels in the neck.

The treatment is decided by considering the social problems, potential health problems and examination findings of the person who complains about snoring.

  

QUESTION 3: What are the surgical options in the treatment of snoring?

ANSWER:  Often the source of snoring is the vibration of loose tissues in the soft palate. Making the soft palate structure harder and fresher significantly reduces snoring. Radiofrequency application, surgeries that provide tissue reduction from the soft palate or surgeries that change the structure of the soft palate with suture techniques can be applied. Generally, these surgeries are much simpler than interventions for sleep apnea.  

 

QUESTION 4: I have snoring, should I have a sleep test?

ANSWER:  One of the main symptoms of sleep apnea is severe snoring. A sleep test is highly recommended if there is persistent and severe snoring.