How an Otolaryngologist Diagnoses Snoring Issues

During sleep, snoring occurs when the soft tissue in one’s upper airway (i.e., soft palate and uvula, etc.) vibrates, creating the sound of snoring. According to Dr. Michael Avidano and Dr. Blanca Durand of Southern Crescent ENT, serving Stockbridge & Fayetteville, GA, and surrounding communities, snoring happens when there is a partial blockage in the airflow through the passages at the back of the mouth and nose.

How an Otolaryngologist Diagnoses Snoring Issues

 An otolaryngologist, also known as an ENT (Ear, nose, and throat) specialist, is a healthcare specialist trained to identify the root cause of snoring and then develop a personalized and effective treatment plan to improve each client’s sleep quality and, thus, their overall health.  

The otolaryngologists at Southern Crescent ENT begin by gathering the patient's medical and family history, including the onset, duration, and severity of the snoring issues, plus -

• Lifestyle Factors like - 
  • Smoking.
  • Sleep patterns/habits, etc.
  • Alcohol habits.

 Next, an otolaryngologist performs a physical examination of the head, neck, throat, nasal passage, and more to determine if there are anatomical abnormalities or enlarged tonsils/adenoids, etc., causing the snoring issue. A flexible scope that provides a visual perspective may be used to determine the flow of air through your air passageways. 

Diagnostic tests that can determine the cause and help manage snoring symptoms include -

• Sleep Study/Overnight Monitoring – allows for experts to monitor various parameters influencing sleep/snoring –
• Airflow.
• Breathing patterns.
• Oxygen levels/brain activity while sleeping.
• Home Sleep Test – a simplified and often digital version of the sleep study that can be done at home.
• Imaging Tests That Allow for Detailed Views 
  • X-rays.
  • CT Scans. 
  • MRI.
• Identifying Potential Underlying Conditions 
  • Sleep Apnea – refers to a serious condition where breathing recurrently stops/starts during sleep.
  • Structural Abnormalities – examples include a deviated septum, enlarged tonsils, and others that may require surgery to achieve the desired results.
  • Allergies/Sinusitis -  allergies or a chronic sinusitis condition may contribute to snoring. 

Treating Snoring Issues

 Based on the findings, the otolaryngologist can customize a treatment plan which may include -

• Medical Treatments – Prescription meds for allergies and nasal decongestants. CPAP therapy is available if sleep apnea is involved.
• Lifestyle Adjustments - Including weight loss, modifying one’s sleep position, or avoiding smoking and alcohol, to name a few.
• Surgical Options - Procedures can correct anatomical issues that are the root cause of the snoring issue.

 For additional information, contact Dr. Avidano, Dr. Durand, or a staff member of Southern Crescent ENT for a consultation or appointment at (770) 474-7416 for the Stockbridge office and (678) 817-4390 for the Fayetteville office or online.