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Snoring can be quite disturbing to both you and your partner’s sleep, but typically, the occasional occurrence of snoring isn’t cause for concern. However, serious snoring can indicate an underlying issue that needs the expertise of an ENT specialist. At Houston Physicians’ Hospital, we understand that severe snoring can impact not only your quality of sleep, but also your health, so we’ve laid out some signs that mean it’s time to see an ENT doctor for your snoring.

 

What Causes Snoring?

Snoring occurs when the passages at the back of the mouth and nose become obstructed, limiting the free flow of air. As a result, the airway where the tongue and upper throat meet the soft palate and uvula strike against each other and vibrate, leading to the hoarse snoring sound. While snoring is common in many individuals, when it becomes excessive, it could be the result of an underlying issue that requires the help of an ENT specialist. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, severe snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This condition is characterized by multiple episodes of pauses in breathing that last more than 10 seconds at a time. This is as a result of the collapsing or narrowing of the upper airway. (1)

 

When Should I See an ENT Specialist for Snoring?

Because obstructive sleep apnea can lead to potential health risks, like a lower amount of oxygen in the blood and a disruption in the body’s normal sleep cycle, those who experience the following symptoms should seek the help of an ENT specialist:

 

1. Hypersomnia

The Hypersomnia Foundation defines hypersomnia as a term used to define excessive daytime sleepiness (2). This is a symptom commonly found in those affected by sleep apnea, because the excessive snoring relating to this condition can hinder a deep, restful sleep, leaving those affected feeling fatigued when they are awake. Hypersomnia goes beyond the need for caffeine to help wake you up in the morning – symptoms can include being so sleepy that it can affect your ability to perform routine activities, like driving. Those suffering from hypersomnia as a result of snoring should seek the help of an ENT doctor to help diagnose the presence of obstructive sleep apnea.

 

2. Your Snoring Wakes Yourself or Other People Up

The American Academy of Otolaryngology states that heavy snoring can result in the bed partner to experience sleepless nights and fatigue and could be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (1). If your snoring has woken you or your partner up at night, it is an indicator that the snoring is serious enough to be a symptom of OSA. Speak to an ENT specialist to determine the best course of treatment.

 

3. Difficulty Staying Asleep

The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry indicates a link between sleep disorders, like obstructive sleep apnea, and difficulty maintaining sleep (3). Also called insomnia, this difficulty in staying asleep is common with OSA, due to the pauses in breathing and heavy snoring obstructing the body’s ability to maintain a normal sleep schedule.

 

While snoring occasionally isn’t something to worry about, if you experience the above symptoms due to your snoring, it may be due to obstructive sleep apnea that needs to be diagnosed and treated by an ENT specialist. For ENT services in the Clear Lake area, give Houston Physicians’ Hospital a call at (281) 557-5620.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. https://www.entnet.org/content/snoring-and-sleep-apnea
2. https://www.hypersomniafoundation.org/medical-terminology/
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1064748112605399

The summer months often consists of getting outdoors and getting active. Whether it’s walking along the beach or going out for a morning bike ride, the summer months are perfect for being active. However, those affected by hip pain may feel unable to perform their favorite seasonal activity. At Houston Physicians’ Hospital, we understand it can be difficult when hip pain holds you back, so we’ve laid out some helpful information on what may be causing your pain and when it’s time to seek orthopedic treatment:

 

1. Osteoarthritis

According to The New England Journal of Medicine, osteoarthritis is the most common disorder of the joints in the United States (1). A variety of factors can cause this condition in the hips, including age and trauma. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cushioning cartilage in the hip joints begin to break down and cause the bones to rub against each other as you move.

 

 

2. Stress Fractures

The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation cites repetitive movements that place excessive stress on the bone as the most common cause of stress fractures in the hip (2).  Typically, stress fractures occur in those involved in high-impact sports, or sports that place a lot of stress on the hip joints, like running.

 

 

3. Snapping Hip Syndrome

According to The American Journal of Sports Medicine, snapping hips syndrome is characterized by hip pain, along with a “snapping” sound coming from the hip joints during movement, and is most common among young adults (3).  Typically, three causes lead to this syndrome: the IT band snapping over the outside of the thigh, the deep hip flexor snapping over the front of the hip joint, and tears of the cartilage that surrounds the hip socket.

 

 

4. Hip Labral Tear

An article published in Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine describes the symptoms associated with a hip labral tear as groin pain, pain in the buttocks, and mechanical symptoms such as clicking or locking in the hip joint (4). This condition can be caused by a variety of factors, including heredity conditions, trauma, and repetitive motions. A tear in the hip labrum can cause a large amount of pain, as it causes a disruption in the cartilage’s normal function of holding the ball of the thigh bone securely in the hip socket.

 

 

When Should I Seek Treatment for My Hip Pain?

Many of these conditions require the help from physicians at Houston Physicians’ Hospital in the Clear Lake area to help manage symptoms and receive the proper form of treatment. However, it can be difficult to determine when it’s time to seek a professional for your hip pain. Typically, the most common sign that you need to seek treatment is an inability to perform daily activities due to your hip pain. However, there are some other common symptoms that indicate it’s time for expert treatment:

 

• Hip pain when at rest
• Swelling, redness, or a warm sensation around the hip joint
• Hip pain following an injury or fall
• Sudden onset of hip pain

 

For those affected by hip pain in the Clear Lake area, give Houston Physicians’ Hospital a call at (281) 557-5620. We’re a leading name in orthopedic pain management and treatment.

 

 

 

1. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmcp071112
2. https://now.aapmr.org/stress-fracture-of-the-hip/
3. http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/036354658401200504
4. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12178-009-9052-9