Med. praxi. 2017;14(4):180-184 | DOI: 10.36290/med.2017.034

Snoring – a life threatening condition?

MUDr. Milada Hobzová, Ph.D.¹, MUDr. Richard Salzman, Ph.D.²

¹ Klinika plicních nemocí a tuberkulózy, FN a LF UP, Olomouc

² Klinika otorinolaryngologie, FN a LF UP, Olomouc

Snoring is sometimes downplayed as a sound disturbing the sleep companion. However, it affects the snorer him/herself aswell. The snoring should not be ignored as it may indicate a presence of more serious illness, i.e. sleep apnea. Obstructive sleepapnea has a negative impact on the patient’s health and negatively affects patient’s quality of life. It is associated with fatiqueand sleepiness often leading to momentary drowsiness. Another symptom is a presence of microsleep episodes during daytimeposing an increased likelihood of car accidents. Furthermore, obstructive sleep apnea increases risks of metabolic and cardiovasculardiseases. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly examine and diagnose each patient manifesting with snoring in order torule out the obstructive apnea. Early treatment of sleep apnoe not only eliminates snoring, but can improve both the quality oflife of these patients and prevent subsequent health complications. There are a growing number of sleep laboratories and othermedical institutions where this screening is performed to facilitate early diagnosis. The individually tailored treatment, eitherconservative or surgical, is based on the clinical ENT examination and the result from the sleep study. Conservative treatmentmeasures include sufficient sleep, avoidance of alcohol, weight reduction and physical activity.

Keywords: snoring, obstructive sleep apnoe, polysomnography, Mallampati class, continuous positive airway pressure, radiofrekvencytermoplastic, uvulopalatoplastic

Published: November 1, 2017  Show citation