Snoring isn’t just a relationship issue—it can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, which, if left untreated, puts a strain on the cardiovascular system. We distinguish between harmless snoring and breathing pauses that require treatment.
When do patients come to see us?
These are the symptoms we most commonly evaluate at our clinic:
Loud, regular snoring
If your snoring is bothering your partner, your sleep is restless, and you don't wake up feeling refreshed in the morning—we'll determine the cause.
Breathing pauses during sleep
Observed pauses in breathing, startling awake with shortness of breath, and sudden loud snoring following these pauses—these are typical signs of obstructive sleep apnea.
Daytime sleepiness despite getting enough sleep
Do you sleep 7–8 hours a night but still feel exhausted during the day, and do you tend to nod off at the wheel? If so, you should seek a sleep evaluation as soon as possible.
A stuffy nose and mouth breathing at night
Restricted nasal breathing can contribute to snoring—especially after a broken nose or in cases of chronic sinusitis, a comprehensive evaluation is recommended.
Here's how the examination works at our clinic
A structured process from the initial consultation to a concrete treatment plan—you’ll always know what comes next.
Sleep History
Sleep habits, daytime sleepiness (Epworth Scale), comorbid conditions. If applicable: Partner’s observations regarding breathing pauses.
ENT Status
Endoscopic examination of the nose, throat, and larynx — we look for anatomical narrowings that could mechanically explain snoring.
Home polygraphing
You take a small monitoring device home with you overnight—it records your breathing rate, oxygen saturation, heart rate, and snoring sounds. This data is useful for diagnosing sleep apnea.
Treatment recommendation
Depending on the findings: conservative treatment (weight management, sleep position, anti-snoring mouthguard), device-based treatment (CPAP therapy via a sleep laboratory), or surgical treatment (tonsils, soft palate, nose) at the Head Clinic in Frankfurt.
Diagnostics and Methods
- Polysomnography (sleep screening)Overnight sleep monitoring at home — detects pauses in breathing, drops in oxygen levels, and spikes in heart rate. Accuracy sufficient for an initial diagnosis.
- Sleep endoscopy (DISE) as neededTargeted examination of the upper airway under medical sedation — captures snoring under real-world conditions. In cooperation with the Kopfklinik Frankfurt.
- Anti-snoring mouthpiece (UPS)Mandibular advancement splint — holds the lower jaw forward at night, widening the airway. Effective for mild to moderate sleep apnea.
- Surgical optionsStraightening of the nasal septum, turbinate reduction, palatal tightening using the Celon method, tonsillectomy — indications and patient selection are determined during a one-on-one consultation.