Snoring & Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Treatment

Snoring & Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) in Adults

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in adults are common conditions that disrupt restful sleep, impacting overall health and quality of life.

While snoring can often seem harmless, when associated with OSA, it can lead to serious health issues. Understanding the difference and recognising symptoms early can help manage these conditions effectively.

Understanding snoring and sleep apnoea

What is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)?

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in adults occurs when the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing brief but frequent pauses in breathing called apnoeas.

These episodes are often unnoticed by the person experiencing them. While similar, snoring alone usually doesn’t cause breathing interruptions.

A less common form, known as central sleep apnoea, differs by involving pauses in breathing due to the brain’s control mechanisms rather than airway blockage.

Why it matters

Untreated OSA significantly impacts daily life, causing daytime tiredness, poor concentration, memory difficulties, and strained relationships.

Prolonged untreated sleep apnoea may increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression. It can contribute to an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents due to reduced alertness, and long-term untreated OSA has been linked with higher overall health risks.

Effective management of these conditions can improve overall health and wellbeing.

Signs you may have sleep apnoea

Common symptoms

Typical symptoms indicating possible obstructive sleep apnoea include:

Loud snoring
Gasping or choking during sleep
Frequent pauses in breathing (often reported by a partner)
Unrefreshing sleep, morning headaches, dry mouth
Daytime tiredness, low mood, poor concentration

When to seek assessment

Snoring becomes a medical concern if it interferes with your sleep quality or if associated symptoms of OSA appear.

If you regularly experience disrupted sleep, loud snoring, or breathing pauses, see your GP or an ENT specialist.

Diagnosis typically involves sleep studies, which can be conducted in-lab or at home.

Diagnosing sleep apnoea

Sleep Study (Polysomnogram)

Sleep studies or Polysomnogram (PSG) measure breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep patterns overnight.

These tests help identify the severity of sleep apnoea and inform suitable treatment options. The majority of patients can have tests connected in store and take home to sleep at night (ambulatory sleep study). Rarely are patients required to stay in a sleep laboratory overnight.

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE)

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) is a specialised diagnostic procedure performed under light sedation.

It visually identifies exact areas of airway collapse during sleep, guiding precise treatment decisions.

Learn more about DISE.

Treatment Options for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)

Sleep apnoea treatment usually begins with non-surgical options, but some patients may consider obstructive sleep apnoea surgery if conservative measures are not effective or tolerated. Dr Phillips is one of two ENT surgeons in Queensland and one of ten in Australia who have completed additional training in snoring and sleep apnoea surgery.

Non-surgical and conservative measures

Many patients start with non-surgical options, which may include:

CPAP Therapy (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

Often considered the gold standard, CPAP uses gentle air pressure to keep your airway open during sleep. It’s especially helpful for moderate to severe cases of OSA.

Mandibular Advancement Splints (MAS)

These custom-made dental devices reposition the lower jaw slightly forward to help maintain an open airway. They’re usually best for mild to moderate OSA.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Simple changes can make a significant difference, such as losing weight, reducing alcohol consumption, managing allergies, and sleeping on your side instead of your back.

CPAP intolerance or ineffectiveness of conservative measures may lead some patients to consider surgical options.

Surgical Treatment: A long-term solution

For patients who snore, struggle with CPAP or haven’t had success with conservative options, surgery can be a highly effective and often life-changing alternative for the right patient.

Our surgical treatments:

Reduce or eliminate snoring
Improve airflow during sleep
Reduce the severity of sleep apnoea
Enhance your energy levels, focus, and overall well-being

Each procedure is customised to your unique airway anatomy, sleep study results, and lifestyle. Surgery is not a one-size-fits-all approach—Dr Phillips carefully assesses each patient to determine the most suitable options.

Not everyone is a candidate for surgery.

Some patients may have medical or anatomical factors that make surgery less appropriate or effective. That’s why we conduct a thorough evaluation, which includes a detailed sleep study, an airway examination, and a discussion of your overall health and goals. If surgery is not recommended, we will help you explore other tailored solutions that fit your needs.

Common Surgical Options Include:

Nasal Surgery

For patients with blocked nasal passages, surgery to correct a deviated septum or reduce enlarged turbinates can make a big difference, on its own or to make CPAP or MAS more comfortable and effective.

Throat and Tongue Procedures

Techniques such as Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), Coblation tongue channelling, or other soft palate and tongue base surgeries can help clear the airway by removing or reshaping obstructive tissue.

Multilevel Surgery

In some cases, combining procedures at different levels of the airway offers the best results.

Obstructive sleep apnoea surgery types offered by Dr Phillips

Surgical management varies depending on the findings from your sleep study and airway examination, which helps determine whether obstructive sleep apnoea surgery is appropriate.

Drug Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE)

A specialised test that assesses airway collapse during sleep to guide personalised treatment for snoring and sleep apnoea.

Midline Glossectomy

Surgical removal of tongue base tissue to treat snoring or obstructive sleep apnoea by reducing airway collapse during sleep.

Tonsillectomy

Removal of chronically infected or enlarged tonsils in adults to relieve throat pain, improve sleep, and reduce infection recurrence.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) & Coblation Tongue Channelling

UPPP and coblation tongue channelling are surgical procedures that help treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea by opening and stabilising the airway.

Additional factors that influence snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea can be influenced by many factors beyond airway anatomy alone. These considerations help guide assessment and determine which treatments may be appropriate.

Risk factors

Several risk factors can contribute to sleep disordered breathing, including obesity, aging, family history, nasal congestion, a deviated nasal septum and reduced tone in the throat muscles during sleep. These issues can lead to repeated episodes where breathing becomes restricted or stops briefly, causing fragmented and poor sleep.

Different types of sleep apnoea

Obstructive sleep apnoea occurs when the upper airway collapses during sleep, while central sleep apnoea is caused by reduced breathing signals from the brain rather than physical blockage. Some patients have severe obstructive sleep apnoea, with frequent stop-breathing events throughout the night, which usually requires more structured treatment planning with a sleep specialist.

When other treatments may be discussed

In some cases, additional therapies may be considered as part of broader sleep apnoea management. Options such as soft tissue surgery, tongue reduction surgery, upper or lower jaw procedures including double jaw surgery, or hypoglossal nerve stimulation may be discussed by a sleep specialist, maxillofacial surgeon or multidisciplinary sleep team if they are relevant to the underlying cause. Weight loss surgery may also be explored when obesity plays a major role in sleep disordered breathing.

Surgical options for structural airway problems

For some adults, nasal or airway obstruction contributes significantly to snoring or sleep apnoea symptoms. Procedures such as sinus surgery or surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea may be appropriate when conservative measures have not been effective. Treatment decisions depend on sleep study findings, airway anatomy and the individual’s overall health.

Supporting better sleep and recovery

Managing obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) can significantly improve your daily energy, mood, and overall health. Every patient’s situation is unique, and treatment plans are carefully individualised. Simple lifestyle adjustments like maintaining a healthy weight, sleeping on your side, and avoiding alcohol close to bedtime can support better sleep outcomes.

Book a consultation

If you snore, feel tired despite a full night’s sleep, or suspect you may have sleep apnoea, a consultation with Dr Phillips can help clarify the cause and explore treatment options suited to your needs.

Snoring & Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Treatment – FAQs

What are the common signs of sleep apnoea in adults?

Sleep apnoea can present in different ways. Many people notice loud snoring, breathing pauses reported by a partner, waking unrefreshed, morning headaches or increased daytime sleepiness. These symptoms may indicate disrupted breathing during sleep and usually warrant a clinical assessment.

How is obstructive sleep apnoea diagnosed?

Diagnosis is made through a sleep study, which measures breathing patterns, oxygen levels and sleep stages overnight. Tests may be performed at home or in a sleep laboratory, depending on the clinical situation. The results help determine whether the condition is mild, moderate or severe and guide appropriate treatment options.

How is the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea measured?

Severity is assessed using the apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI), which records how many times breathing partially or completely stops per hour of sleep during a sleep study. The number of events per hour helps classify obstructive sleep apnoea as mild, moderate or severe.

5 to 15 breathing interruptions per hour – mild sleep apnoea
15 to 30 breathing interruptions per hour – moderate sleep apnoea
More than 30 breathing interruptions per hour – severe sleep apnoea

These categories guide treatment recommendations, along with your symptoms, airway anatomy and overall health.

How do I book an appointment with a snoring or obstructive sleep apnoea surgeon?

To see Dr Phillips, you’ll need a referral from your GP or another specialist. Once your referral is received, our team will arrange an appointment at one of our Gold Coast clinics. Many people seeking help for snoring or sleep apnoea on the Gold Coast start with a sleep study arranged through their GP, and we can guide you through the next steps once the referral is in place.

Do lifestyle changes help with sleep apnoea?

Lifestyle adjustments can support treatment. Maintaining a healthy weight, reducing alcohol consumption close to bedtime, improving sleep position and addressing nasal congestion may all help improve sleep quality. These measures are often combined with other treatments recommended after assessment.

When is a CPAP machine recommended for sleep apnoea?

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is commonly used as first-line treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea. It helps keep the airway open by delivering gentle air pressure through a mask. CPAP may be especially helpful for people with moderate to severe sleep apnoea or those experiencing significant daytime symptoms.

What other non-surgical treatments are available if I cannot tolerate CPAP?

Options may include mandibular advancement devices that reposition the lower jaw, targeted lifestyle changes or managing contributing nasal or airway issues. The most suitable approach depends on the results of your sleep study and overall health.

When is surgery considered for snoring or obstructive sleep apnoea?

Surgery is considered only after appropriate assessment and when non-surgical treatments have not been effective or tolerated. For OSA or snoring, surgeries and procedures focus on improving airflow through the nasal passages, soft palate or tongue base. The choice of procedure depends on individual airway anatomy and findings from investigations such as drug-induced sleep endoscopy.

Can nasal surgery improve sleep apnoea or snoring?

Nasal surgery may help improve airflow, sleep quality increasing time spent in deep sleep and REM sleep and make treatments such as CPAP or oral appliances more comfortable and effective. It is not a standalone treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea in most patients, but can form part of a broader management plan.

Does snoring always mean I have sleep apnoea?

Not always. Snoring is common and can occur without breathing pauses. However, loud or persistent snoring, particularly when paired with daytime tiredness or witnessed breathing interruptions, may indicate obstructive sleep apnoea. An assessment can help clarify the cause.

What is a “sleep apnoea specialist”?

The term “sleep apnoea specialist” is commonly used by patients, but it isn’t a formal medical title in Australia. Sleep apnoea is usually managed by several clinicians, including GPs, sleep physicians and respiratory specialists. ENT surgeons become involved when nasal or upper airway anatomy is contributing to snoring or obstructive sleep apnoea, or when surgical treatment is being considered.

Dr Phillips is one of only two ENT surgeons in Queensland and one of ten in Australia who have completed additional training in snoring and sleep apnoea surgery. He provides assessment and surgical management for adults with airway-related snoring and sleep apnoea as part of this shared-care approach.