Sleep Apnoea & Snoring Treatment Singapore
Waking up exhausted, gasping for air, or keeping your partner awake at night — these are not things you simply have to live with. Specialist ENT assessment can identify what is happening and how to treat it effectively.
Why Choose Dr Prasad
A Specialist You Can Trust
Dr Vyas Prasad is a Consultant Otolaryngologist and Head & Neck Surgeon with subspecialty expertise in voice, airway, thyroid, and head and neck conditions. He brings surgical precision and clinical depth to every assessment, with a practice built on clear communication and individualised care. His approach is straightforward: understand the problem thoroughly, explain it clearly, and recommend only what is genuinely appropriate.
Specialist ENT assessment — not a generalist opinion.
Coordinated specialist care from diagnosis through to treatment.
Airway evaluation informed by anatomical surgical precision.
Clear, direct communication at every stage of your journey.
Centrally located at Camden Medical Centre, Orchard.
Why Am I Snoring?
Nasal Blockage
Obstructions like a deviated septum or polyps force mouth breathing, often triggering heavy snoring.
Palate Vibration
Excess or relaxed tissue in the soft palate vibrates as air struggles to pass through the narrowed opening.
Tongue Position
When tongue muscles relax too much and fall back, they can partially mask the airway and cause loud snoring.
Physical Factors
Increased neck circumference adds pressure to the airway, a key indicator that snoring may be linked to sleep apnoea.
Understanding the anatomical source of your snoring is the first step toward effective treatment. While snoring itself may be harmless, consistent disruptions or witnessed pauses in breathing suggest that Specialist ENT assessment is required to rule out Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.
Recognising the Signs
Sleep apnoea does not always announce itself clearly. Watch for these common indicators:
Loud or Disruptive Snoring
Snoring that is audible from another room, or that your partner has noticed getting worse over time.
Witnessed Pauses in Breathing
A partner or family member has noticed you stop breathing, gasp, or choke during sleep.
Excessive Daytime Fatigue
Feeling unrefreshed after a full night's sleep, or struggling to stay alert during the day.
Morning Headaches
Waking with a headache — often caused by reduced oxygen levels during the night.
Difficulty Concentrating
Brain fog, forgetfulness, or trouble focusing at work that cannot be explained by other causes.
Frequent Night-Time Urination
Waking repeatedly to use the bathroom — a lesser-known but common symptom of sleep apnoea.
Obstructive sleep apnoea occurs when the soft tissues of the upper airway — the tongue, soft palate, and throat muscles — relax too much during sleep and partially or completely block the airway. Several factors can contribute: a deviated septum or nasal polyps forcing mouth breathing; enlarged tonsils or adenoids narrowing the throat; excess soft palate tissue; a tongue that falls back during sleep; excess weight around the neck; and reduced airway muscle tone with age.
Understanding the specific cause of obstruction in each patient is the foundation of effective treatment. This is why specialist assessment matters.
What Causes Sleep Apnoea?
Snoring vs. Sleep Apnoea
Simple Snoring
Simple snoring is noisy breathing caused by vibration of soft tissues in the upper airway. Airflow and oxygen levels remain normal during sleep, but symptoms can worsen over time if left unmanaged.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) occurs when the airway repeatedly narrows or collapses during sleep, causing pauses in breathing, gasping, and poor-quality sleep. It requires proper clinical assessment and management.
Proper clinical assessment is essential to distinguish between simple snoring and OSA, ensuring that patients receive the appropriate level of intervention and specialist care for restorative sleep.
What to Expect at Your Consultation
Dr Prasad takes a structured and unhurried approach to evaluating sleep-related breathing disorders, ensuring every patient receives a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.
1
Clinical History
You will be asked in detail about your symptoms, sleep patterns, and how they affect daily life. A bed partner's observations are often valuable.
2
Airway Examination
A hands-on examination of your nose, throat, palate, tongue base, and neck to identify structural factors contributing to obstruction.
3
Nasal Endoscopy
A brief, well-tolerated procedure using a thin flexible scope to assess the nasal passages and upper airway in detail.
4
Sleep Study
Where appropriate, Dr Prasad will arrange a sleep study to measure breathing events and confirm whether OSA is present.
5
DISE
Drug Induced Sleep Endoscopy isutilisedto give an anatomical understanding of upper airway collapse
Drug Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE)
Level 1: Mild Expansion
The airway remains significantly open. Assessing the Velum (soft palate) for vibration and subtle narrowing.
DISE is a gentle diagnostic procedure where you are lightly sedated, allowing Dr Prasad to precisely examine your airway and identify the exact site of obstruction while you sleep.
Level 2: Moderate Narrowing
Airflow begins to struggle. Focusing on the Oropharynx where tonsils or lateral walls may restrict the passage.
Level 4: Complete Collapse
The airway closes entirely. Examining the Epiglottis and lower airway levels for total structural blockage.
Level 3: Significant Obstruction
Breath is noticeably interrupted. Observing the Tongue Base to see if it falls back against the throat during sleep.
This classification guides Dr Prasad in choosing the safest and most effective surgical or non-surgical intervention tailored specifically to your anatomy, ensuring long-term restorative sleep.
Treatment Options
There is no single solution for everyone. The right treatment depends on the cause, the severity, and your individual circumstances. Dr Prasad will discuss all relevant options with you before any decision is made.
Lifestyle Measures
For mild cases, changes such as weight reduction, adjusting sleep position, and reducing alcohol in the evening can meaningfully reduce symptom severity.
CPAP Therapy
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is the most well-established treatment for moderate to severe OSA. A device delivers a gentle stream of pressurised air through a mask during sleep, keeping the airway open throughout the night. It is highly effective when used consistently.
Mandibular Advancement Device
A dental device worn during sleep that repositions the jaw slightly forward, reducing airway collapse. Suitable for mild to moderate OSA or for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.
Targeted Surgical Procedures
Where obstruction has a clear anatomical cause, surgery can deliver lasting improvement. Procedures are selected based on where the obstruction lies and may include septoplasty to correct a deviated nasal septum, turbinate reduction, tonsillectomy, palate surgery, or tongue base procedures. Dr Prasad will explain which options are relevant to your anatomy and what realistic outcomes to expect.
Common Questions & Support
How do I know if it is just snoring or sleep apnoea?
Snoring is simply a sound made by vibrating tissues. In contrast, Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a health condition where your breathing actually stops or shallows because the airway is blocked. If your snoring is interrupted by gasps or if you feel exhausted during the day despite a full night's sleep, it may be OSA and deserves a professional ENT evaluation.
What happens during a sleep study for diagnosis?
A sleep study is the most effective way to measure your breathing, oxygen levels, and sleep cycles. Depending on your symptoms, Dr Prasad may recommend a convenient home sleep test or a more detailed overnight laboratory study. This data is essential for creating a precision treatment plan tailored to your specific airway anatomy.
What are my non-surgical options for treatment?
Surgery is not the only path to better sleep. Many patients find success with CPAP therapy, which uses gentle air pressure to keep the airway open, or a custom-fitted dental device that repositions the jaw. Lifestyle changes, such as weight management and side-sleeping, can also significantly reduce symptoms for many people.
Is untreated sleep apnoea a risk to my health?
Yes, leaving moderate to severe OSA unmanaged can lead to serious long-term issues, including high blood pressure, heart strain, and diminished mental clarity. Beyond the physical risks, it often causes significant daytime fatigue that impacts your work and personal life. Early intervention is a proactive step toward a healthier future.
What is the recovery timeline for airway surgery?
Recovery depends on the type of procedure. Typical nasal surgeries involved one to two weeks of congestion, while throat or palate procedures may require a soft diet and rest for about ten days. Dr Prasad provides comprehensive guidance to ensure your recovery is as comfortable and swift as possible.
Should I visit a specialist even if I feel fine?
It is often worth an assessment. Many individuals live with 'hidden' fatigue or rely on excessive caffeine without realising their sleep quality is poor. A specialist ENT consultation can offer peace of mind, confirming whether your snoring is harmless or if there are underlying issues that could be improved for better long-term vitality.
Take the First Step Towards Better Sleep
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of sleep apnoea or problematic snoring, a specialist assessment is the clearest way forward. Dr Prasad sees patients at Camden Medical Centre, centrally located on Orchard Boulevard.
