ENT Specialist Dr. Filiz: “Sleep Apnea and Snoring Are Not Fate, They Are Diseases! Let’s Be Aware!”

ENT Specialist Dr. Ümit Filiz emphasized that “snoring is not your destiny; it is a treatable medical condition.”

Speaking at a panel organized in Bornova on snoring, a condition known to negatively affect sleep quality, Dr. Filiz stressed that snoring should not be normalized and should be recognized as a disease with available treatment options.

Public Health Panel Organized by Bornova Municipality and ENTO Surgical Medical Center

The panel titled “Current Approaches to Snoring and Sleep Apnea,” organized by the Health Affairs Directorate of Bornova Municipality in cooperation with ENTO Surgical Medical Center, was held at the Uğur Mumcu Culture and Arts Center with strong public interest and participation.

Experts highlighted that snoring and sleep apnea, characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep, carry significant health risks and should not be ignored.

Dr. Filiz noted that a large proportion of patients visiting their clinic complain of snoring and emphasized that this condition should not be regarded as normal.

“It Affects Not Only the Snorer but Also the Person Beside Them”

Dr. Filiz stated that snoring is more common among men until their 40s, while after menopause the prevalence becomes similar in both men and women. He added that snoring affects not only the individual but also their partner.

Important Warning from an ENT Specialist

According to Dr. Filiz, weight gain is an important contributing factor to snoring. Treatment generally begins with addressing nasal problems before conducting a sleep test.

“We first try medication to reduce the size of nasal tissues and improve breathing. In some cases, surgical intervention is necessary. Afterwards, we perform a sleep study. Some patients learn that significant weight loss alone may resolve their problem. Everything starts with awareness and accepting that this is a disease. Eighty percent of people who experience stroke-like events during sleep have sleep apnea. Eighty-six percent of those using three blood pressure medications have sleep apnea. We must recognize the warning signs our bodies give us. This is a disease, and it can be treated,” he said.

“Snoring Can Even Lead to Divorce”

Dr. Filiz explained that people who snore may face social exclusion and that the problem can even contribute to divorce. He warned that sleep apnea, defined as a pause in breathing lasting more than 10 seconds during sleep, can be extremely dangerous.

He added that these issues represent a significant social problem affecting family life but stressed that effective treatments are available and that no one should have to live with the condition.

TUTD President: “1.5 Billion People Worldwide Struggle with Snoring”

Prof. Dr. Zeynep Zeren Uçar, President of the Turkish Sleep Medicine Association (TUTD), stated:

“Just as we faced a pandemic, we are now facing a serious epidemic of sleep apnea. Sleep is not a simple activity. Quality sleep allows the body and brain to reset and renew themselves. Therefore, snoring should never be underestimated. Approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from this condition, and obese individuals are particularly at risk.”

She also noted that people with sleep apnea often have great difficulty losing weight.

“Sleep and Child Development”

Prof. Uçar emphasized that quality sleep is critical even for children’s development. She discussed anatomical predispositions, major risk factors, diagnostic methods, and the fact that sleep apnea is much more common among patients with heart disease, hypertension, and stroke.

“Snoring and Oral Health”

Prosthodontist Dr. Bilkay Karaman highlighted the direct relationship between snoring, sleep apnea, and oral health.

Describing sleep as “a place between life and death,” she noted that diagnosis may sometimes begin in the dentist’s chair. She explained that snoring often starts when the uvula elongates and may progress into sleep apnea over time.

Dr. Karaman stressed the importance of replacing missing teeth and not neglecting dental treatment. Multiple missing teeth can cause the tongue to enlarge and the cheeks to collapse inward, narrowing the airway and making breathing more difficult.

“Personalized Anti-Snoring Devices”

Dr. Karaman also pointed out that sleep apnea can occur in children. Poor-quality sleep may lead to attention deficits during the day, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.

She introduced modern intraoral devices, personalized anti-snoring appliances, and digital snoring-monitoring applications used in treatment.

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