Have you ever experienced people asking you about how loud you snore? Well, I did. Contrary to the belief that snoring is normal and is because you're only tired from working the whole day, it may not always be the case.

According to my experience, sleep apnea is a condition among Singapore men and women where your breathing recurrently stops during your sleep. I have experienced a shortage of oxygen during my sleep, which startled me. How did I know? My wife constantly nags me about it. I mean, what can I do? It’s not like I volunteer myself in these cases.

During my sleep apnea episodes, I have realised that when it gets overlooked by an ENT doctor in Singapore for an extended period, it can lead to various health concerns. As a father of my two kids, it's natural for me to work all day, but I still find it difficult to sleep, which means I often don't have energy throughout the day.

Along with being tired, I have also experienced difficulty concentrating, which affects my mood. I was always mad and irritated with everyone. Even when I didn’t want to shout in some circumstances, I kept losing my patience. So why?

I decided to visit an ear, nose, and throat specialist to establish the proper treatment to fix this matter. Luckily, I found Dr Dennis Chua of ENT Surgeons.

How do I know if it is sleep apnea and not snoring?

The most apparent indicator of sleep apnea among Singapore men and women is how you feel throughout the day. In my experience, natural snoring has little to no impact on the quality of your sleep than sleep apnea.

The way you snore can provide you hints about your condition. If you are gasping, coughing, or producing other strange sounds while sleeping, you should be evaluated for sleep apnea by an ENT doctor in Singapore.

I realised that my condition was already getting worse because my wife had repeatedly told me about it. The worst thing about it is that she finds it hard to sleep at night. That's why I decided to contact a specialist.

I received a diagnosis and possible treatment options to address my problem. I have also learned a few tips that I would like to share.

Therapies I tried to treat my sleep apnea

My ENT doctor in Singapore told me that I could utilise continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) breathing equipment at night to treat sleep apnea using a more traditional method.

Alternatively, an ear, nose and throat specialist may recommend that you utilise a piece of breathing equipment while sleeping. Whether it will work for you, it could be a piece of equipment that you place in your mouth or swallow at night.

For other circumstances, your ENT doctor in Singapore may recommend contacting a dentist who can supply you with various tools. You may have to experiment with several gadgets before finding the one that works best for your needs.

Can I cure myself of sleep apnea?

Of course, you can, as long as you get diagnosed early. Making lifestyle changes to your daily routines can aid in treating sleep apnea at home in Singapore. I have to admit that I didn't find these steps easy, but it's what I have learned after getting treated by an ENT doctor in Singapore.

Even though CPAP or other treatment measures effectively treat sleep apnea, some people find these procedures uncomfortable. However, there are home treatments you may consider since they show to provide the same results.

• Drop some pounds if necessary. Obesity, particularly in the upper body, might increase the likelihood of airway blockage and narrowing of the nasal passageways.
• You consider sleeping on your left side. Evaluate your sleep apnea symptoms and body positions with your 

ENT doctor.

• Before going to bed, stay away from alcoholic beverages and drugs like sleeping pills.
• Alcohol has the effect of relaxing the throat muscles, which are responsible for controlling your breathing.
• Raise the crest of your mattress for a comfortable sleeping position.
• Talk with your doctor to try different masks, settings, or breathing machines if CPAP doesn't work for you. Depending on the patient's needs, these appliances can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) or custom-fitted by a dentist.
• You should consult your physician if you experience dryness, bleeding, or stuffiness in your nose while using a breathing machine.
• Give time for exercising. Exercise helps you fight weariness and improves your sleep quality by allowing you to unwind before bedtime.

If you have other concerns, do not hesitate to contact an ear, nose and throat specialist. I highly recommend that you contact Dr Dennis Chua. He is a reliable ENT doctor you can find in Mount Elizabeth, Orchard Medical Centre. He will help you understand what you need to do and address your condition without complications.