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1. What are the Causes of Snoring?

2. When snoring is present, it suggests that the nose or
throat may be partially obstructed. This obstruction leads
to air flow difficulties. As a result, the air moves
turbulently through the airway and this causes the
vibration and sound of snoring. If the airway becomes
completely blocked the result is obstructive sleep apnoea
(cessation of breathing).

3. Snoring is associated with several common conditions,
including:

4. • Enlarged tonsils • Enlarged adenoids•
Obesity • Nasal congestion• nasal masses•
Cranio-facial anomalies • Hypothyrodism•
Acromegaly• Other rare causes

5. Enlarged tonsils

6. Enlarged tonsils, without infection, do occur in children.
Due to the obstruction of the child's narrow upper airway
these often lead to snoring. This may have serious and
even life threatening complications for the child.
Obstruction of the upper airway due to enlarged tonsils is
an absolute indication for a tonsillectomy.

7. ADENOIDAL HYPERTROPHY

8. • Adenoids are present at birth and then begin to
enlarge. They, along with the tonsils, continue to grow
until individuals are aged 5-7 years. The adenoids usually
become symptomatic, with snoring, nasal airway
obstruction, and obstructed breathing during sleep, when
children are aged approximately 18-24 months.

9. By the time children reach school age, the adenoids
normally begin to shrink, and, when they reach preteen or
teenage years, the adenoids are usually small enough for
the child to become asymptomatic.

10. CLINICAL ASSESSMENT

11. A physical examination should include an assessment of
the upper airway with measurement of your neck
circumference as well as carefully looking at your nose,
mouth, and throat. If your doctor suspects you may have
sleep apnea, you may need to have a sleep study called a
polysomnogram.

12. INVESTIGATIONS / POLYSOMNOGRAM.

13. To determine the presence of sleep apnoea we may
recommend a "sleep study".

14. These tests are extremely valuable in diagnosing and
treating many sleep disorders, including neurologic
disorders, movement disorders and breathing disorders at
night.

15. Sleep studies are generally easy to perform and are
covered by medical aid, and give the sleep physician the
required information to diagnose and manage the sleep
disorders.

16. RADIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTLATERAL NECK XRAY: IS THE
MAIN INVESTIGATION

17. Treatment

18. Treatment of snoring is meant to target the underlying
condition that is causing you to snore. It may include
lifestyle changes such as weight loss or avoiding alcohol
before bed, which may relax the airway. Surgery may also
be an option, especially if you have a narrow airway
because of enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or other rare
cranio-facial anomalies. Regardless, a careful evaluation
may provide the reassurance you need to sleep soundly.

19. Other conditions such as nasal masses or cranio-facial
anomalies require appropriate surgical intervention.

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