Snoring And Its Relationship To Sleep Apnea

Do you snore? Does your partner snore, meaning you’re kept up all hours of the night, tossing and turning? Whether you’re the one creating the noise or you’re the one having to listen to it, snoring is a common symptom of a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Not all snorers have this sleep disorder, but sleep apnea has a number of common symptoms, including snoring. If you suspect you have it or you believe your partner or loved one may have it, then it’s worth getting it checked out. In this guide, you’ll get a better understanding of how snoring occurs, the full symptoms of sleep apnea and how to help resolve or manage this condition.

How Does Snoring Occur?

Snoring is a sound that occurs when air flows through relaxed tissues in your throat. This causes the tissues to vibrate as you breathe, hence the somewhat irritating sound. No one is immune to snoring. Often enough, it can happen to many of us that have congestion problems or a common cold rather than it being a chronic problem.

There are lifestyle changes that can be made to help with snoring from losing weight to avoiding alcohol or the sleeping position you’re in.

What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

What are the common symptoms of sleep apnea? There are typically a number of symptoms that come with sleep apnea beyond just snoring. Those who have OSA will want to look at the symptoms beyond just snoring, rather than assuming they have it from this symptom alone. Here are some of the other symptoms to look out for:

• Headaches in the morning
• Gasping or choking at night
• Daytime sleepiness
• Breathing pauses during sleep
• Restless sleep
• Sore throat when waking up
• Chest pains at night

If you’re also snoring so loud that your partner is having their sleep disrupted, this could be a sign of sleep apnea. For children, the symptoms may be visible more so during the daytime. From behavioral problems to poor performance in school, these could both be indicators of OSA.

How to Help Snoring and Sleep Apnea Condition

For those with mild snoring or sleep apnea, lifestyle modifications can be highly effective. Weight loss is often recommended since excess weight, particularly around the neck, can increase the likelihood of airway obstruction during sleep. Avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bedtime can also help, as these substances relax the throat muscles, making snoring and apnea episodes more frequent. Sleeping on your side instead of your back can prevent the tongue and soft tissues from collapsing into the airway, reducing snoring and apnea occurrences.

For moderate to severe cases, medical treatments may be necessary. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine delivers steady air pressure through a mask, keeping the airway open during sleep. Other devices, such as mandibular advancement devices, can also be used to reposition the jaw and tongue to improve airflow.

In some instances, surgical interventions may be required to address structural issues contributing to snoring and sleep apnea. Procedures such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), which removes excess tissue from the throat, or the insertion of implants to stiffen the soft palate, can be effective. For severe cases of sleep apnea, more complex surgeries may be considered to correct nasal obstructions or realign the jaw.

Imaging

X-rays are common for ENTs to use in order to get a better viewpoint of the throat and the structure of your airways. It’ll be able to identify any disorder or potential problem from the imaging tests done and is usually pretty quick to do.

A Sleep Study

Depending on the severity of your or your partner’s snoring, a sleep study may be conducted. This involves an overnight stay in a clinic, or you may be able to do this at home. If you have an existing medical conditions or potential underlying conditions, then a sleep center may be the best option.

This sleep study will look at your brain waves, heart and breathing rate, sleep stages as well as any movements in the eyes and legs. As a result of these tests, the ENT will be able to successfully diagnose you with sleep apnea if you have it. The treatment for this will vary depending on the severity and the wishes of the patient themselves.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are common for those with sleep apnea to help keep airways open and therefore avoid the audible snoring. There are also a number of oral appliances that are available too, all of which can be discussed with your ENT.

If you’re looking to address your own concerns about sleep apnea or you want your partner to get checked out, then you can give Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates a call. They’re the best for providing expert advice and guidance when it comes to sleep apnea.

Be sure to give us a call at any of the following for more information on snoring and sleep apnea conditions. Sylva at 828-586-7474, Franklin at 828-524-5599, Murphy at 828-835-1014 or New Asheville at 828-458-8100.