Often, we only think of snoring as something amusing, especially if someone we know is a loud snorer. But did you know that frequent and loud snoring can indicate a much more severe sleeping disorder? My husband had a habit of snoring loudly all night and every night. But when I started hearing him gasp and choke in his sleep, I knew something was wrong. I immediately took him to a sleep clinic in Singapore, where he was diagnosed with sleep apnea. But what is sleep apnea, and is it as bad as people make it out to be? Here’s a brief guide on everything you need to know about sleep apnea.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a potentially severe disorder wherein you repeatedly stop breathing during sleep. These pauses last about ten to twenty seconds and can occur as often as 100 times an hour. Because of these frequent breathing pauses, those with sleep apnea in Singapore may suffer from a lack of oxygen during sleep, which jolts them awake. For example, instead of consistent deep sleep, my husband has small bouts of light sleep that aren’t restful enough to energise him for the next day. Because sleep apnea prevents people from sleeping properly, the disorder may cause other health issues.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

The most noticeable symptom of sleep apnea in Singapore is loud, consistent snoring. If you or anyone you know is known for snoring loudly every night, it may be a sign of sleep apnea. Those with the disorder may also make other sounds during sleep. For example, my husband makes choking or gasping noises caused by sleeping pauses. He also wakes up frequently at night, usually gasping for air due to another sleeping pause.

Those with sleep apnea may experience other symptoms, too. For example, my husband experiences daytime fatigue, sleepiness, and crankiness because he cannot sleep properly. During our appointment with the sleep specialist in Singapore, he also said that he often wakes up with a dry mouth or a sore throat and experiences frequent morning headaches.

How to Treat Sleep Apnea

If you suspect you have sleep apnea, go to a sleep clinic in Singapore immediately. They’ll be able to diagnose you and determine the severity of your sleep apnea.

Because sleep apnea manifests itself as snoring, your sleep specialist can suggest several snoring treatment methods in Singapore. For example, they may give you nasal decongestants if a congested nose is the cause of your condition. They may also make you undergo Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy or CPAP therapy for short. CPAP is a device that patients wear before they go to sleep. The mask delivers a steady stream of air into your nose as you sleep, preventing sleeping pauses from occurring. This treatment method was prescribed to my husband by his sleep specialist, and he’s been sleeping peacefully ever since.

Do you need snoring treatment in Singapore for your sleep apnea? Dr Gan Eng Cern is a fellowship-trained ENT surgeon with multiple qualifications and awards for his contribution towards his field of otolaryngology. You can book a consultation with him by contacting Dr Gan Eng Cern’s clinic today.