Suggest treatment for severe mouth dryness caused by excessive snoring

Posted on Sat, 14 May 2016

Question: I have a problem with snoring which has got progressively worse recently. I did see an ENT specialist a few years ago and he recommended a mouth guard which I have (Somnowell) and nasal spray. These however no longer work. I wake up with a sore dry throat, sometime wake up choking in my sleep and have a cough. I am now also consulting a Gastro for Mildly elevated liver bloods and mild discomfort in top right abdomen but presume no
Connection. What would you recommend doing to sort this?

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Sleep Study. Fiberoptic nasophryngoscopy.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. Get a Sleep Study and a fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy done.

2. These tests help in finding out the severity and level of the obstruction during sleep (which leads to snoring).

3. Other important investigations are DISS (Drug Induced Sleep Endoscopy) and a Dynamic MRI Scan.

4. Acid reflux must be ruled out. Liver, Gall bladder problems should be ruled out. Hence your gastrointestinal checkup is important. What is your BMI ( Body Mass Index)?

5. The dryness and choking can be due to many factors such as mouth breathing and reflux.

6. If you can upload these reports, treatment options can be discussed.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (37 minutes later)

Thank you Dr. My BMI is 28.9. I was prescribed Omeprazole in case it was acid reflux but this has had little effect. Would liver/gallbladder contribute to snoring then? Would you recommend all tests you mention in points 1 and 3 or just the tests in point 1 first. The previous ENT advised me a few years ago my tongue skips back during sleep l, narrowing airways and that the mouthguard should work. It did for a while but has now stopped working even though tightened and refitted by dentist. Ear plugs do not help with noise of snoring so very frustrating.

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You will respond to treatment.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. People with BMI below 30 respond well to treatment.

2. Liver and gall bladder problems will not contribute directly to snoring but reflux will.

3. The tests are to be done in the above order. the subsequent tests depend upon the findings in the previous ones.

4. Tongue fall can be treated with hyoid suspension and other tongue base reduction procedures.

5. Ear plugs are of no use for transmitted sounds.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar