Stertor: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:11, 16 February 2025

Stertor

Stertor is a term used in medicine to describe a low-pitched, snoring-like sound that occurs during respiration. It is typically associated with partial obstruction of the upper airway and is most commonly heard during inspiration. Stertor is often confused with stridor, but the two are distinct in their characteristics and underlying causes.

Causes

Stertor is usually caused by the vibration of relaxed or redundant tissues in the upper airway. Common causes include:

Clinical Significance

Stertor is an important clinical sign that can indicate the presence of an upper airway obstruction. It is often observed in patients with sleep-disordered breathing and can be a symptom of conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea. In children, stertor may be a sign of enlarged tonsils or adenoids.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of stertor involves a thorough physical examination and history taking. The healthcare provider may listen for the characteristic sound during breathing and assess for other signs of upper airway obstruction. Additional diagnostic tools may include:

Management

The management of stertor depends on the underlying cause. Treatment options may include:

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea
Surgical interventions such as tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy
Weight loss and lifestyle modifications
Medical management of nasal congestion or allergies

Related Pages

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-'''Stertor''' is a term used in medicine to describe a type of noisy breathing. It is often associated with conditions that cause obstruction or narrowing of the upper airway, such as [[sleep apnea]], [[snoring]], or [[nasal congestion]]. Stertor is characterized by a low-pitched, snoring sound that is produced during inhalation. It is different from [[stridor]], which is a high-pitched, wheezing sound that is typically heard during exhalation.
+== Stertor ==
-==Causes==
+[[File:Blausen_0872_UpperRespiratorySystem.png|thumb|right|Diagram of the upper respiratory system]]
-Stertor can be caused by a variety of conditions that affect the upper airway. These include:
-* [[Obstructive sleep apnea]]: This is a condition in which the airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing periods of stopped breathing. Stertor is often a symptom of this condition.
+'''Stertor''' is a term used in medicine to describe a low-pitched, snoring-like sound that occurs during respiration. It is typically associated with partial obstruction of the upper [[airway]] and is most commonly heard during [[inspiration]]. Stertor is often confused with [[stridor]], but the two are distinct in their characteristics and underlying causes.
-* [[Snoring]]: This is a common cause of stertor. It occurs when the flow of air through the mouth and nose is physically obstructed.
-* [[Nasal congestion]]: This can be caused by a variety of conditions, including allergies, a cold, or a sinus infection. When the nasal passages are blocked, it can lead to stertor.
-* [[Obesity]]: Excess weight can cause the tissues in the throat to become thicker, leading to stertor.
-==Diagnosis==
+== Causes ==
-The diagnosis of stertor is typically made based on a person's symptoms and a physical examination. The doctor may ask about the person's medical history and perform a physical examination to check for signs of conditions that can cause stertor, such as obesity or nasal congestion. In some cases, further tests may be needed to determine the cause of the stertor. These can include a sleep study, a CT scan, or an MRI.
+Stertor is usually caused by the vibration of relaxed or redundant tissues in the upper airway. Common causes include:
-==Treatment==
+* [[Obstructive sleep apnea]]
-The treatment for stertor depends on the underlying cause. For example, if the stertor is caused by obesity, the person may be advised to lose weight. If the stertor is caused by nasal congestion, the person may be given medication to reduce the congestion. In some cases, surgery may be needed to remove or reduce the size of the tissues that are causing the stertor.
+* [[Tonsillar hypertrophy]]
+* [[Adenoid hypertrophy]]
+* [[Nasal polyps]]
+* [[Obesity]]
-==See also==
+== Clinical Significance ==
+Stertor is an important clinical sign that can indicate the presence of an upper airway obstruction. It is often observed in patients with [[sleep-disordered breathing]] and can be a symptom of conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea. In children, stertor may be a sign of enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
+== Diagnosis ==
+The diagnosis of stertor involves a thorough [[physical examination]] and [[history taking]]. The healthcare provider may listen for the characteristic sound during breathing and assess for other signs of upper airway obstruction. Additional diagnostic tools may include:
+* [[Polysomnography]]
+* [[Laryngoscopy]]
+* [[Imaging studies]] such as [[CT scan]] or [[MRI]]
+== Management ==
+The management of stertor depends on the underlying cause. Treatment options may include:
+* [[Continuous positive airway pressure]] (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea
+* Surgical interventions such as [[tonsillectomy]] or [[adenoidectomy]]
+* Weight loss and lifestyle modifications
+* Medical management of nasal congestion or allergies
+== Related Pages ==
 * [[Stridor]]
 * [[Sleep apnea]]
-* [[Snoring]]
+* [[Upper airway obstruction]]
-* [[Nasal congestion]]
-[[Category:Respiratory diseases]]
-[[Category:Sleep disorders]]
-[[Category:Symptoms and signs]]
-{{stub}}
+[[Category:Respiratory system]]