In a bustling city like Singapore, where long work hours and fast-paced lifestyles are the norm, sleep problems are increasingly common yet often overlooked. While occasional sleepless nights can be attributed to stress or lifestyle choices, persistent sleep disturbances may signal a more serious underlying issue. Sleep is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle for both kids and adults alike. For instance, doctors often encourage parents to inculcate healthy sleeping habits in children, as it is beneficial for their growth and development. Adults also benefit from getting regular sleep, as it affects the heart and circulatory system, metabolism, and the respiratory and immune systems. Individuals with sleep deprivation usually experience problems with focusing on tasks and memory issues. While trying to have a good sleep schedule can improve your sleep quality, there can be other underlying issues that may impact your sleeping habits; one such condition is sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is well-known to disrupt sleep patterns and causes snoring, but it doesn’t just end there. If left untreated, it can even lead to serious health conditions like sudden cardiac death. In this article, we’ll explore when you should consult a sleep specialist in Singapore, symptoms to watch out for, what to expect during your visit, and how seeing a specialist can vastly improve your quality of life.
Why Should You Consult a Sleep Specialist?
Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists are medically trained to diagnose and treat sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnoea.
ENT specialists in Singapore have thorough training in their respective fields, having first earned their 4-year bachelor’s degree, followed by 5 years of training in medical school, and a further 6-8 years of specialist training. Sleep specialists can also obtain additional training in their other fields of interest/specialisation as well.
Common Sleep Disorders Treated by Sleep Specialists
Some of the most common sleep issues evaluated and treated by sleep specialists in Singapore include:
- Sleep Apnea (Obstructive & Central)
- Insomnia
- Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
- Extreme Daytime Sleepiness
- Snoring
- Parasomnias (e.g., sleepwalking, night terrors)
Of these conditions, sleep apnea in Singapore is prevalent, particularly in adults.
A Sleep Specialist in Singapore Explains Sleep Apnea
A study conducted by Benjafield AV et al. estimated that approximately 1 billion people, between the ages of 30 and 69, globally, have obstructive sleep apnea. So, what exactly is sleep apnea? It is a condition when your brain tries to protect you by waking you up to breathe. There are three types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Occurs when muscles in the throat relax while you’re asleep, causing the surrounding tissue to press down against your windpipe, thereby obstructing the flow of air.
- Central Sleep Apnea: This condition is when the brain does not send signals to keep breathing-related muscles working while you sleep.
- Mixed/Complex Sleep Apnea: A combination of OSA and central sleep apnea.
You can identify whether you have this condition if you experience:
- Interrupted sleep
- Breathing pauses while asleep
- Snoring
- Daytime fatigue
- Headaches
- Night sweats
- Mood change
Additionally, children may display symptoms differently from adults; they may experience bedwetting, sleepwalking, sleep talking, and coughing or choking.
Apart from these symptoms, your child could be at risk of developing sleep apnea if they:
- Have a biological family history of sleep apnea
- Suffer from heart conditions, strokes, or elevated blood pressure
- Have large tonsils
- Are obese
It’s important to seek sleep apnea treatment in Singapore if you or your child have experienced any of these symptoms or is at risk of developing sleep apnea.
How to Manage Sleep Apnea at Home
Before you consult an ENT specialist in Singapore, there are a few ways you can manage your sleep apnea, such as:
- Losing weight
- Exercising
- Having a healthy sleep schedule (i.e., sleeping and waking up at the same time daily).
- Sleeping on your side with the assistance of a special pillow or bed wedge
Additionally, there are a few things that you should not do, as they can worsen your sleep apnea:
- Do not smoke
- Do not consume too much alcohol, especially before going to sleep
- Do not take sleeping pills unless prescribed by your doctor, as they might worsen sleep apnea
These tips and lifestyle choices may be useful for those suffering from mild symptoms of sleep apnea.. If your condition is more complex, you should seek medical treatment from an ENT specialist.
How Does an ENT Specialist Diagnose Sleep Apnea?
An ENT specialist will utilise one or more of the following diagnostic methods:
- Nasoendoscopy: Your doctor will insert a thin flexible tube with a light and camera (also known as an endoscope) into your nose, which will help visualise the sinuses and nasal passage. It is typically used on patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It helps sleep specialists understand the specific structures that are causing an obstruction in your airway.
- Sleep History: Sleep specialists may ask you to share a detailed account of your sleep history, such as how often you snore and how often you wake up from your sleep at night.
- Sleep Study/Polysomnography (PSG): The main objective of this diagnostic method is to observe your sleep patterns, recognise any disruptions in them, and try to understand the cause of the disruption. In addition to diagnosis, it will help your doctor select the appropriate treatment plan for your condition. While you are asleep, you will be attached to a device that tracks:
- Brain wave patterns
- Breathing activity
- Heart rate and blood oxygen levels
- Movements such as limb jerks
- The volume of snoring
After your doctor has determined the type of sleep apnea you have, they will then suggest an appropriate treatment plan.
Available Treatments for Sleep Apnea in Singapore
Sleep apnea typically has 3 treatment options: medication, lifestyle adjustments, and sleep apnea surgery.
- CPAP Machine: This is a device that gently pumps air into a mask you wear over your mouth or nose while you sleep. It’s useful in improving the quality of your sleep and reducing the risk of exacerbating problems related to sleep apnea, such as high blood pressure. Your ENT/sleep specialist may recommend using the device every night.
- Other Treatments: Other treatments include a gum-shield-like device that holds your airways open while you sleep, which is called a ‘mandibular advancement device’. If all other treatments fail, your doctor may recommend getting surgical treatment.
- Sleep Apnea Surgery: Surgery is typically recommended for people who have OSA. In most cases, a trial period of at least three months using other treatment methods is recommended before surgery is considered. However, for a select group of individuals with specific jaw structure abnormalities, surgery may be an appropriate first-line treatment.
Possible surgical options include:
- Septoplasty
- Turbinoplasty
- Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
- Epiglottectomy
Leaving a condition such as sleep apnea untreated is detrimental to your health. Not only will it cause issues with daily tasks, but it can also create serious health complications such as arrhythmias, high blood pressure, heart damage, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death.
Finding the Right Sleep Specialist in Singapore
Singapore is home to several well-regarded sleep clinics and specialists, typically operating in both public hospitals and private healthcare institutions. Look for the following when choosing a sleep specialist:
- Expertise of the doctor
- Diagnostic capabilities
- Location of clinic & appointment availability
- Positive reviews or word-of-mouth recommendations
What Happens After Your Diagnosis?
Once a sleep disorder is diagnosed, your specialist will guide you through a personalised treatment plan. They may refer you to other allied professionals such as dietitians, dentists (for oral appliances), or psychologists (for CBT-I), depending on your condition. Follow-ups are essential to ensure treatment is effective and to make necessary adjustments.
If you are looking for comprehensive sleep apnea and snoring treatment in Singapore, book a consultation with Dr Ker Liang, our experienced ENT specialist at Aglow ENT Centre.
Consult Dr Ker Liang, an Experienced Sleep Specialist at Aglow ENT Centre for Snoring Treatment in Singapore
While occasional restless nights may not be a cause for concern, persistent issues such as loud snoring, excessive fatigue, or disrupted breathing during sleep are not normal and should never be ignored. If left untreated, sleep disorders like sleep apnea can have serious consequences on your physical and mental health. Early diagnosis and the right treatment can dramatically improve your sleep quality, energy levels, and overall well-being.
At Aglow ENT Centre, we provide personalised care for each of our patients, irrespective of their age and condition. Our Medical Director and experienced sleep specialist in Singapore, Dr Ker Liang provides treatment solutions to a wide range of Ear, Nose, and Throat, as well as Head and Neck issues. Our clinic is located at Mount Elizabeth Hospital (Orchard), and we accept walk-ins. Alternatively, you may also book a same-day consultation with us.
