Sleep Apnea and Snoring Treatment

Usually it's the wife who books the appointment

That is not a joke, it is a pattern. In a large share of the sleep apnea patients we see, the first complaint comes from the person sleeping next to them: "He snores like a tractor, and then he just stops breathing. I lie awake waiting for the next breath."

The patient himself often has no idea. He just knows he wakes up tired, needs tea to get going, dozes off in front of the TV, and maybe nods off at red lights on the way to work.

Snoring is common and often harmless. But loud snoring with pauses, gasps or choking sounds is a different story. That can be obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and it is worth taking seriously.

What is obstructive sleep apnea?

When you fall asleep, the muscles in your throat relax. In some people the airway narrows so much that it closes off for a few seconds, sometimes for half a minute or more. Oxygen drops, the brain jolts you awake just enough to open the airway, and you go back to sleep without remembering it. This can happen dozens of times an hour, all night.

So even if you are in bed for eight hours, your body never gets proper deep sleep.

Who tends to get it

It is more likely if you:

• Are overweight, especially with a thick neck (collar size 17 inches or more in men)
• Are male, or a woman after menopause
• Have high blood pressure that is hard to control
• Have diabetes, thyroid problems or a history of heart disease
• Have a small jaw, large tonsils or a blocked nose
• Drink alcohol in the evening or take sleeping pills

Thin people can get sleep apnea too. It is not only a weight problem.

A quick self-check

Answer honestly. One point for each "yes":

• Do you snore loudly, loud enough to be heard through a closed door?
• Do you often feel tired or sleepy during the day?
• Has anyone seen you stop breathing or choke during sleep?
• Do you have, or are you being treated for, high blood pressure?
• Is your BMI over 35?
• Are you over 50?
• Is your neck size large?
• Are you male?

This is based on the STOP-BANG questionnaire that doctors use for screening. A score of 3 or more means the chance of sleep apnea is moderate to high, and a proper evaluation makes sense. It is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.

Why it matters beyond the snoring

Untreated sleep apnea puts steady strain on the heart and blood vessels night after night. Over time it is linked with high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, heart attacks, strokes and poorly controlled diabetes. Daytime sleepiness also raises the risk of road accidents, which is a real worry for people driving between Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula every day.

There is also the everyday cost: poor concentration, irritability, morning headaches, waking up to pass urine at night, and low energy that people put down to "age" or "work stress".

How we diagnose it

Diagnosis needs a sleep study, which records your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate and body position while you sleep. Depending on your case, this may be a home sleep test or a full overnight study in a lab. We explain the difference and what to expect on our sleep study page.

The result gives an AHI (apnea-hypopnea index), which is the number of breathing pauses or dips per hour. That number, along with your symptoms, decides how serious the problem is and what treatment fits.

Treatment options

CPAP

For moderate to severe sleep apnea, CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is the most effective treatment. A small machine blows gentle air through a mask and keeps your airway open while you sleep. Most people need a few weeks to get used to it.

What we focus on is making CPAP something you will actually use: the right mask size, the right pressure, a humidifier if your nose gets dry, and follow-up to sort out problems early.

Weight and lifestyle

Losing even 10% of body weight can noticeably reduce sleep apnea in many people. Cutting back on alcohol in the evening, avoiding sleeping pills, and sleeping on your side also help.

Other options

Oral appliances made by a dentist can help some people with mild to moderate OSA. If large tonsils, a deviated septum or nasal blockage are part of the problem, we work with ENT colleagues.

What about simple snoring?

If the sleep study shows no apnea, snoring can often be reduced with weight loss, treating nasal blockage or allergy, avoiding alcohol at night and changing sleep position. At least you'll know it is "just snoring" and not something that is harming your health.

Clinic timings and contact

If you, or the person next to you, recognise these signs, a medical evaluation is advisable. The clinic is at Booth 194, Sector 20, Panchkula, open Monday to Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings. Patients come from across Chandigarh, Mohali and Zirakpur. Call +91-99280 14284 or book an appointment. Bringing your partner along helps, since they've often seen more than you have.