Snoring is common, affecting a large part of the population, and does not always carry a serious risk. Medically, however, distinguishing “simple snoring” from “obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)” sets the course of treatment.
How does the diagnostic process work?
Scientific guidelines follow these steps for a correct diagnosis:
- Subjective symptoms: is there snoring alone, or is it accompanied by excessive daytime sleepiness and tiredness?
- Objective sleep tests (the gold standard): polysomnography (a sleep study) is needed for a definite diagnosis. It measures how many times your breathing stops during the night (apnoea) and how far your oxygen level falls.
- ENT examination: physical obstructions such as a deviated septum, a lax soft palate or large tonsils are identified on physical examination.
Should you be worried? (Simple snoring vs. apnoea)
If you snore only when lying on your back or when very tired, and you wake up refreshed, this is usually “simple snoring”. However, if:
- you are told your breathing stops during sleep,
- you have difficulty concentrating during the day,
- you wake from sleep short of breath,
then it is important to get an ENT specialist’s opinion, because untreated OSA (sleep apnoea) can increase cardiovascular and metabolic health risks in the long term.