Snoring too loudly? You may have encountered the "sleep killer" ignored by more than 300 million people!

In daily life, snoring is rarely taken seriously and is even considered a sign of a “good sleep”. In fact, among the large number of snoring people, a large proportion of them suffer from a “potentially fatal” disease – obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

This disease can not only cause daytime sleepiness, mental distraction, slow reaction, etc., but is also an important cause of various systemic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, sexual dysfunction, Alzheimer's disease, memory loss, etc. Severe OSAHS patients may even suffer "sudden death" during sleep.

Q: Why do some people snore and some don’t?

A: Because the upper respiratory tract of snorers, such as the pharyngeal isthmus (including the soft palate, uvula, tonsils, and the root of the tongue), nasopharyngeal isthmus, and nasal cavity, is narrower than that of normal people. During the day, when people are awake, the muscles in this area can keep the airway open and unobstructed, without narrowing or blocking; but at night, when people sleep, due to the decrease in nerve excitability, the muscles in this area relax, causing the airway to collapse and become narrow. When the respiratory airflow passes through this narrow area, vortices are generated and vibrations are caused, resulting in snoring. In severe cases, the airway is completely blocked, which can cause temporary breathing cessation, thus affecting people's physical health.

Therefore, 8 types of people are prone to snoring:

1. Overweight/obese people;

2. Middle-aged and elderly men;

3. People with abnormal facial/throat structure (typical features):

Deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps

Enlarged tonsils/adenoids (common in children)

Short jaw (commonly known as "small chin")

The uvula is too long

4. Long-term smokers and drinkers;

5. People with nasal congestion/allergies;

6. Those with a family genetic tendency;

7. Pregnant women and menopausal women;

8. People who sleep on their backs for a long time.

Q: If you snore, do you need to see a doctor?

A: You can self-assess using the STOP-Bang Questionnaire (internationally used OSA screening tool).

Answer the following 8 questions and score 1 point if you meet the criteria:

S (Snoring): Do you snore very loudly (you can hear it even with the door closed)?

T (Tired): Do you often feel tired or sleepy during the day?

O (Observed): Has anyone observed you apnea while sleeping?

P (Pressure): Do you have high blood pressure or are you currently being treated for high blood pressure?

B (BMI): Is BMI = weight (kg) / height squared (m²) ≥ 35?

A (Age): Age ≥ 50 years old?

N (Neck): Neck circumference ≥40cm for men and ≥38cm for women?

G (Gender): Male?

Interpretation of results:

0-2 points: low risk;

3-4 points: medium risk;

≥5 points: high risk.

If the score is medium or high risk, it is recommended to see a doctor (otolaryngologist or respiratory doctor).

Q: What are the criteria for diagnosing OSAHS?

Answer: In addition to the doctor's interview and general examination, polysomnography (PSG) is required to confirm the diagnosis. It is the "gold standard" for diagnosing snoring.

Q: How should OSAHS be treated if diagnosed?

A: If you are diagnosed with OSAHS during your visit, don’t worry. There are many ways to treat snoring. From “gadgets” to “minimally invasive surgery”

One of the simplest and most important ways is to actively lose weight, quit smoking, drinking and taking sedatives, change your lifestyle and eating habits, and develop a side-lying sleeping habit.

Nasal wash + anti-allergy: Rinse the nasal cavity with normal saline (priority for those with nasal congestion).

Non-surgical methods, such as continuous positive upper airway pressure therapy (wearing a sleep apnea machine), wearing a machine at night to provide continuous positive airway pressure, and using oral appliances, etc., but they require evaluation by a professional doctor.

For surgical treatment, the choice of specific treatment plan needs to be given by an ENT doctor after examination and diagnosis. The doctor will choose the treatment plan according to the severity of the disease: such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), turbinate ablation, etc., to improve anatomical stenosis; radiofrequency ablation: minimally invasive to reduce hypertrophic tissue; preoperative hyperbaric oxygen therapy and induced sleep laryngoscopy: conducive to more precise surgery and good prognosis.

Tips for family members before going to the hospital:

Use your mobile phone to record snoring videos to help doctors diagnose the condition.

Avoid complaining or ridiculing, and encourage patients to seek medical treatment actively.

Therefore, snoring is not a sign of “sound sleep” and early prevention and treatment are needed to solve this “killer”.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Liu Yuanyuan from Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Guiding Experts: Huang Donghai and Xie Changning

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(Edited by Wx)