Recent studies have shown that oral examination may not foretell much relation to snoring and sleep disturbances in patients.
Earlier patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) have mostly been related to snoring in their sleep. And so snoring was known as one of the predictors of OSAS.
OSAS, also known as the condition of fragmented sleep is associated with hypertension, heart problems, stroke, and obesity, breathing problems, sexual dysfunction and
clinical depression. This condition may range from minor sleep disturbance to a threat to life. In less severe conditions, OSAS remains undetected in people for a long time.
In the recent issue of Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, researchers have said that 101 patients who complained of sleep disturbance and snoring were examined. The otolaryngological study which takes an anatomical look into the ear, nose and mouth, showed no difference from those without sleep disturbances.
The study then concludes that medical history of the patients, oral examination or any such factors cannot be used, either singularly or in conjunction, to predict patterns of snoring to diagnose OSAS. The researchers have suggested a nocturnal screening test to diagnose OSAS in patients.