Skip to main content

Difference between Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options | Dr Sanjeev Mohanty

 Difference between Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

Prof Dr. Sanjeev Mohanty

Dr.Mohanty’s Speciality ENT Clinics

Sleep is an integral part of our living. Good quality sleep ensures a healthy body and mind. However, not everyone experiences sound sleep. One third of the population suff­ers from snoring, causing discomfort not only to themselves but also to others. Snoring usually becomes more serious with age and can lead to adverse medical conditions.

What Causes Snoring?

Snoring occurs when the flow of air through the mouth and nose is physically obstructed. Air needs to pass through the passages of nose, throat and back of the tongue to enter the windpipe and lungs to ensure sufficient oxygen supply for the body. If any of the passages are narrow, adjoining soft tissues of the throat and tongue collapse, leading to vibration and subsequent sound of snoring.

What is Sleep Apnea?

The collapse of the soft tissues of the throat and tongue can be severe, resulting in obstruction of the flow of air into the lungs. This can lead to futile attempts of breathing, causing a drop in the oxygen levels in the body, especially at night. This period of no breathing at night is commonly called Apnea and the medical condition is known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS).

In adults, the most common causes of obstructive sleep apnea, which is associated with soft tissue of the mouth and throat, are excessive weight and obesity. During sleep, when throat and tongue muscles are more relaxed, this soft tissue can cause airway blockage.

Common Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea are:

• Loud snoring during sleep • Excessive day time sleepiness • Lack of freshness while waking up • Decreased concentration during the day • Attacks of choking in the night (may not be aware and not noticeable to others) • Reduced memory • Irritability • Depression and personality changes • Reduced libido • Hyperactive behavior with reduced attention span (amongst children) • Delayed growth in children • Breathing through the mouth and drooling

Serious Implications

Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) can lead to a potentially life threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention.

• Excessive day time sleepiness - can result in accidents • Heart attack • Strokes and paralysis • Irregular heart beat • High blood pressure

Prevention and Treatment Options for Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Snoring

Snoring often seems like a problem without a solution. However, it can be cured by identifying the cause of this ailment. An ENT surgeon can help in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of snoring. Surgical options to be explored in refractory cases.

Sleep Apnea

For milder cases of sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend only lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. If you have nasal allergies, your doctor will recommend treatment for your allergies.

Self Help

• Sleep on your side • Elevate the head of your bed • Limit sleep medication • Avoid alcoholic beverages * Exercise regularly • Lose weight

 For more information , contact :

www.drsanjeevmohanty.com

drsanjeevmohanty@gmail.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

🐟 Fish Bone Stuck in the Throat? What to Do Immediately Before It Becomes an Emergency

  🐟 Fish Bone Stuck in the Throat? What to Do Immediately Before It Becomes an Emergency You are enjoying a nice fish meal with your family. Maybe a Sunday lunch or dinner with friends. Everything feels normal. Suddenly, you feel a sharp prick in your throat . You swallow once… twice… but the discomfort does not go away. That tiny bone has decided to stay. Within seconds, what started as a simple meal turns into anxiety. This situation is far more common than you think. In ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) clinics across Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha, one of the most frequent medical emergencies is simply this: “Doctor, a fish bone is stuck in my throat.” The good news is that it is treatable. The bad news is that wrong home remedies can make it worse. Let us walk through what you should actually do. A Quick Reality Check First Before panic takes over, remember something simple. Most fish bone cases are minor and can be removed easily by an ENT specia...
Post a Comment
Read more

Middle Ear Effusion Explained: Causes, Symptoms, and When to See a Doctor

Introduction Do you feel a strange fullness or pressure in your ears without any pain? Or is your child struggling to hear clearly, especially after a cold? These could be signs of middle ear effusion — a common yet often misunderstood condition where fluid builds up behind the eardrum without an active infection. Though it might seem harmless at first, untreated middle ear effusion can affect hearing, balance, speech development (in children), and overall quality of life. In this blog, we’ll help you understand what causes it, how to spot the symptoms, and when to consult an ENT specialist. If you're searching for expert advice on middle ear fluid treatment in Chennai, Tamil Nadu , Bhubaneshwar, Odisha , or anywhere in India , get the answers you need from Dr. Sanjeev Mohanty , a renowned ENT expert at MGM Healthcare, Chennai . What Causes Middle Ear Effusion ? Middle ear effusion (MEE) happens when fluid collects in the middle ear space due to improper drainage thr...
Post a Comment
Read more

2025 in ENT India: Breakthroughs in Hearing, Sinus & Surgery | Dr Sanjeev Mohanty Chennai & Bhubaneswar

2025 in ENT: Breakthroughs That Changed the Way We Hear, Breathe and Live – A Thank You Note to Dr. Sanjeev Mohanty and the ENT Community in India An end-of-year reflection on global ENT innovations, patient stories, and the hope India carries into 2026. Introduction: Why 2025 Will Always Be Remembered in ENT Care The year 2025 will be remembered as a defining period in ear, nose, and throat care across India. From Chennai in Tamil Nadu to Bhubaneswar in Odisha, ENT clinics witnessed rapid advancements in hearing restoration, sinus surgery, airway management, and thyroid-related eye disease treatment. Patients across India experienced faster recovery, safer procedures, and outcomes that once seemed unimaginable. This blog reflects on the most important ENT innovations of 2025, highlights landmark cases handled by Dr. Sanjeev Mohanty , and expresses gratitude to patients, caregivers, and healthcare teams who made this progress possible. Key Points at a Glance India saw ra...
Post a Comment
Read more