How is Snoring Diagnosed?
While evaluating a patient with a snoring problem it is important that the doctor should speak with the patient’s sleeping partner. A detailed medical history and thorough physical examination is performed by the ENT specialist.
The doctor often assesses the patient's body weight and body mass index (BMI), and also the neck circumference. Visualization of the throat, nasal and oral cavities to determine the narrowing of the oral and nasal passages too look for deviation of the nasal septum can also be helpful.
Sometimes a sleep study (polysomnograph) is performed if the doctor suspects sleeping problem.
If a person feels sleepy during the day, is over-weight and has a short neck a diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) should be considered and requires a ‘Nocturnal polysomnography’ for evaluation and diagnosing the condition.
