Snoring (Rhonchopathy): Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of rhonchopathy (snoring).

Family history

Social history

Current anamnesis/systemic anamnesis (somatic and psychological complaints) [anamnesis collection including bed partner].

  • Has your bed partner noticed snoring? If so, every night? Intermittently?
  • Has your bed partner noticed that your snoring is explosive (“explosive snorer)?
  • Has your bed partner noticed breathing pauses during sleep with you?
  • Does snoring occur during the night as follows?
    • Permanently?
    • Intermittent (temporarily suspending)?
    • Position-dependent (e.g. supine position)?
  • Awaken from sleep
    • With the feeling of suffocation?
    • With dry mouth/throat?
  • Are you very tired during the day and fall asleep in between?
  • Have you noticed a decrease in performance?
  • Are you unfocused during the day?
  • Do you also notice a blue coloration of the fingers and lips (cyanosis due to lack of oxygen in the blood) during the day?
  • What is your preferred sleeping position? On the side, back or stomach?
  • Are there any triggering factors (alcohol, nicotine, allergic or non-allergic rhinitis, nasal breathing obstruction)?

Vegetative history including nutritional history.

  • Are you overweight? Please tell us your body weight (in kg) and height (in cm).
  • Do you drink alcohol? If so, what drink or drinks and how many glasses per day?

Self history incl. medication history.

Further notes

  • Use of validated questionnaires, such as the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) or the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), as appropriate.