Snoring Versus Sleep Apnea
Snoring and sleep apnea, while commonly intertwined, are different conditions.
Snoring may be a sign of Sleep Apnea, but may also be present without sleep apnea. An individual suffering from sleep apnea is very likely to snore due to blockage from the soft tissues in the airway. The flow of air through a small airway causes the soft tissues to vibrate, and create the unpleasant sound that we call snoring.
Snoring:
Snoring occurs during the night when the muscles in the throat relax, allowing the soft tissues to vibrate against the back of the airway. Think of it like a flute. You blow air through a narrow space, making the reed vibrate to create the sound. This is the same with a person who snores. The air has to pass through a narrow space, a blocked upper airway, making the tissue at the back of the throat vibrate and creates a sound. This narrowing can be caused by natural factors, such as poor muscle tone in the throat, the shape of the airway, or genetics.
Secondary causes of snoring include:
Obesity, as excess fat can narrow the airway.Anti-depressants and allergy medication.
Snoring is annoying, but can also signify potentially serious health conditions such as respiratory disorders and sleep apnea.
Facts that increase one's risk of snoring include:
Men are more likely to snore than women.Snoring is more common in middle-aged people. The chance of snoring increases until 50 or 60 years, then begins to decrease again.
While snoring can be heditary and run in a family, certain physical factors that contribute to snoring can be genetic.
Weight gain and obesity can also increase the liklihood of snoring.
Smoking, nicotine, and use of alcohol and sedatives.
Chronic nasal congestion during sleep, usually caused by colds or allergies.
Jaw abnormalities – the shape of the jaw may create a higher risk of snoring.
Sleep Apnea:
Sleep Apnea is caused by an upper airway collapse while sleeping. The collapse of the airway causes an obstruction that either completely, or partially blocks the airway. A complete obstruction of the airway is called an Apnea, while a partial obstruction is called a Hypopnea. These events can last from a few seconds, up to over a minute. These events can occur hundreds of times a night. A patient may partially or completely wake from sleep gasping or choking to try to resume breathing normally, without any memory of the event.
The causes of sleep apnea may include:
Obesity
Dentition: The position of the teeth can determine size and shape of the airway
Large neck size, over 17 inches in men and more than 16 inches in women
Male gender
Menopause
If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from sleep apnea, it is important to get diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. There are several telltale symptoms to look for.
The signs of sleep apnea are:
Loud snoring
Choking and gasping during sleep
Non-restorative sleep, feeling groggy in the morningIncreased frequency of urination
The nighttime signs are:
Excessive sleepiness and fatigue
Mouth dryness
Morning headache
Lack of concentration
Sleep apnea is a serious condition with serious co-morbidities. People may suffer from these health problems for years without ever knowing that they are being caused by sleep apnea.
These co-morbidities include:
HypertensionType 2 Diabetes
Congestive heart failure
Stroke
Heart disease
Erectile dysfunction
If you know or suspect that you or your spouse has a Snoring or Sleep Apnea problem, do not hesitate to call the provider nearest to provide you with the best non-invasive treatment available. Home remedies do not work, and may even be dangerous. Our doctors can build you a device that is effective, comfortable and allow you relief from Snoring and Sleep Apnea. You can get help that will not only give you a quiet night’s sleep, but put you back on the road to good health and improve your quality of life
