Surreal illustration of peaceful sleep with open airways

Snoring Solutions: How Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy Can Help You Breathe Easier

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the potential of drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) in diagnosing and treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for a better night's sleep."

Do you or a loved one struggle with persistent snoring, restless sleep, or excessive daytime sleepiness? These could be signs of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common sleep disorder where the upper airway collapses during sleep, leading to disrupted breathing. Understanding the underlying causes of OSA is crucial for finding the right treatment.

OSA affects millions and can lead to serious health issues if left untreated. Traditional treatments like CPAP machines can be effective, but many people find them uncomfortable or difficult to use. That's where drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) comes in. DISE is a diagnostic procedure that allows doctors to visualize what happens in your airway while you're sleeping, helping them pinpoint the exact locations and patterns of obstruction.

This article explores how DISE, enhanced by simple maneuvers like head adjustments and jaw thrusts, can provide a clearer picture of your sleep-disordered breathing. We'll break down the findings of a recent study that sheds light on how these techniques can improve the accuracy of DISE and lead to more personalized treatment plans.

What is Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) and How Does it Work?

Surreal illustration of peaceful sleep with open airways

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) is a diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the upper airway during sleep. It involves using a sedative to induce a state of sleep in a patient, mimicking their natural sleep patterns. While the patient is sedated, a flexible endoscope (a small camera attached to a thin tube) is inserted through the nose to visualize the throat, including the velum (soft palate), oropharynx (back of the throat), tongue base, and epiglottis.

The endoscope allows the doctor to observe the airway for any obstructions or collapse. The severity and location of these obstructions are then recorded using a standardized scoring system, such as the VOTE classification (Velum, Oropharynx, Tongue base, Epiglottis). This classification helps in identifying the specific areas contributing to the sleep apnea.

Objective Visualization: DISE provides a direct view of the airway during sleep, something not possible with regular examinations.
Identifies Obstruction Patterns: Pinpoints the specific locations and patterns of airway collapse.
Personalized Treatment: Helps tailor treatment plans based on individual airway dynamics.
Assesses Maneuver Effectiveness: Can evaluate how different maneuvers (like jaw thrust or head positioning) affect the airway.

A recent study investigated how different passive maneuvers, such as lateral head rotation and jaw thrust, affect the distribution of collapse patterns during DISE. These maneuvers are designed to simulate the effects of positional therapy (lateral head rotation) and oral appliance therapy (jaw thrust).

What's Next for DISE and Sleep Apnea Treatment?

This research underscores the value of DISE in understanding the complexities of OSA. By incorporating simple maneuvers like head rotation and jaw thrust, doctors can gain a more comprehensive view of airway obstruction and tailor treatment plans to individual patient needs. As research continues and technology advances, DISE promises to play an even greater role in improving the lives of those affected by sleep apnea.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s11325-018-1732-5, Alternate LINK

Title: Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy: The Effect Of Different Passive Maneuvers On The Distribution Of Collapse Patterns Of The Upper Airway In Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients

Subject: Neurology (clinical)

Journal: Sleep and Breathing

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: A. M. E. H. Beelen, P. E. Vonk, N. De Vries

Published: 2018-10-18

Everything You Need To Know

What is Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE), and how does it help diagnose sleep apnea?

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) is a diagnostic procedure where a patient is sedated to simulate natural sleep, and a flexible endoscope is used to visualize the upper airway. The endoscope, inserted through the nose, allows doctors to observe the velum (soft palate), oropharynx (back of the throat), tongue base, and epiglottis for obstructions or collapse. This provides a direct view of the airway during sleep, pinpointing the specific locations and patterns of obstruction that contribute to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This detailed assessment, using a standardized scoring system like the VOTE classification, informs personalized treatment strategies.

How does DISE differ from traditional methods in diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

Unlike traditional examinations, DISE offers objective visualization of the upper airway during sleep. Regular examinations cannot provide this dynamic view. DISE allows doctors to observe the airway in a sleep state, identifying the exact points of obstruction, such as the velum, oropharynx, tongue base, and epiglottis. This contrasts with methods like CPAP machines, which treat the symptoms without directly visualizing the cause. This allows for a more targeted and effective treatment plan, tailored to individual airway dynamics and obstruction patterns.

What role do maneuvers like head adjustments and jaw thrust play in Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE)?

Maneuvers, such as lateral head rotation and jaw thrust, are used during DISE to simulate the effects of positional and oral appliance therapies respectively. These maneuvers help doctors assess how different positions and treatments affect the airway. For example, head rotation mimics positional therapy while jaw thrust simulates the effect of oral appliances. This allows for a comprehensive view of airway obstruction and helps tailor treatment plans to individual patient needs, improving the accuracy of DISE and leading to more personalized treatment plans.

Can you explain the VOTE classification system and its importance in DISE?

The VOTE classification system (Velum, Oropharynx, Tongue base, Epiglottis) is a standardized scoring system used in DISE. It helps doctors systematically record the severity and location of airway obstructions. During the procedure, the endoscope allows the doctor to observe and assess each of these areas for collapse. This scoring system is crucial because it provides a consistent method for identifying specific areas contributing to sleep apnea. By using VOTE, doctors can classify the patterns of airway obstruction, which leads to precise and effective personalized treatment plans.

What are the key benefits of Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) for patients struggling with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

The primary benefits of Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) for patients include objective visualization of the airway during sleep, identification of specific obstruction patterns, and personalized treatment plans. DISE offers a direct view of the velum, oropharynx, tongue base, and epiglottis while the patient is sedated. This allows doctors to pinpoint the exact locations and patterns of obstruction contributing to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This precise diagnosis allows for tailored treatment strategies that address the individual patient's specific airway dynamics, leading to more effective interventions and improved sleep quality.