This is the “miracle” test that can rid us of snoring

sleep It’s annoying with a snorer. And not only for the partner, but in many cases it is unpleasant for oneself. Also Why do we snore? Well because there is Something that prevents normal air circulation through the mouth and the nose. And this obstacle is discovered Aim of somnoscopy.

As he explains Dr. Javier Garcia GomezSpecialist in Otorhinolaryngology at Quironsalud Cáceres Hospital:

• “That one A diagnostic test that serves to detect and indicate whether a patient with snoring needs surgery”

• And don’t just point out where the problem is, but prove it “Helps decide which is the most appropriate surgical or mechanical option So that the patient stops snoring.

A simple process

This Somnoscopy, also called DISE By its acronym in English (Drug Induced Sleep Endoscopy) is a simple procedure:

• It’s done Calms the patient And to induce deep sleep through the puncture, without the need for intubation, to proceed Examination using a fiberscope introduced through the nose

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And as the Quironsalud Caceres expert explains:

• “Nasal cavity, retronasal part, oropharynx and laryngopharynx are explored.Until we can see where the obstruction is and find out its magnitude.”

Once the scan is complete, Lasts no more than 15 minutesThe patient can return home after spending a few hours under observation.

In short, the DISE test does not require any postoperative period or home medication, which makes it very comfortable for the patient, who Diagnosis before leaving the hospital.

Somonoscopy is usually done in addition to what is called a ‘somonoscopy test’. the dreamor polysomnographyUsed to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea.

What type of patient can undergo this test?

Approximately Any type of patient can undergo somnoscopyThose who suffer from snoring without apnea, and those who, in addition to snoring, suffer from obstructive sleep apnea and Those who are already on another treatment such as CPAP.

And there are many people who do not tolerate this device, either because of the noise it makes, or because it is too annoying for them to sleep with it.

“CPAP is the treatment of first choice Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAS), but There are patients who want to undergo somnoscopy for evaluation with some surgical or mechanical treatment Avoid using this machine“says Dr. Javier Garcia.

And we have said that almost everyone can take this test because Children cannot. The reason is that Diagnosis for childhood snoring is very simple Observe the size of tonsils and vegetation and if necessary, proceed to remove them.

However, according to experts,Or these children are more likely to suffer from apnea again in adulthood“Because they tend to develop larger lingual tonsils than the rest of the population due to lack of tonsils.”

How do you remove the obstruction that causes snoring?

Once the somnoscopy determines where the obstruction is located, the otorhinolaryngology specialist will determine the best way to remove it and end snoring.

Dr. García Gómez classifies patients into Three major groups based on their diagnosis and subsequent procedures.

1 Patients who do not require surgery.

They are those that are discovered, after performing the mandibular advancement maneuver during somnoscopy. May mechanically correct your apnea“, without the need for surgery.”

In these cases it is usually fixed Use of mandibular advancement device (MAD) at night. It is a device that improves the position of the jaw and other structures of the upper respiratory tract, Custom design by a dentist specialized for each patient.

2 Patients requiring surgery on the palate.

If it is found that the palate is cleft, the patient may undergo surgery. Soft palate, tonsillectomy or bearded pharyngoplasty surgery, “Depending on the diagnosis,” explains the doctor.

3 Lingual tonsil surgery.

In patients with normal lingual tonsils, they may undergo a “An operation to reduce the base of the tongue using radio frequency

“To make snoring disappear.”

However, “there are also cases of snoring that can be resolved with a simple change in posture during sleep.”

And there is Patients who cannot benefit from any type of surgery because they have central nostrilsThat is, the snoring that occurs because The brain does not dictate the respiratory rate“recalls the otorhinolaryngology specialist.

In this case, somnoscopy is also useful To find out if the patient’s type of snoring is due to any of these causes.