Snoring is a symptom that can be caused by a variety of factors. It ranges from being a mild inconvenience to something that causes significant sleep deprivation and health problems. If you have been experiencing snoring for an extended period, it might be time to visit your ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor.

What Causes Snoring?

There are many potential causes of snoring. The most common is obstructive sleep apnea, when the airway becomes blocked and airflow is restricted. This can be caused by several factors such as excess weight, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, smoking, drinking alcohol and sleeping on your back. Other causes of snoring include nasal congestion due to a cold or allergies, deviated septum and polyps in the nose. Additionally, men are more likely to snore than women, and people over the age of 40 are more prone to snoring than younger people.

Can Excessive Snoring Cause Health Problems?

Snoring can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. It has also been linked to diabetes and depression. By getting snoring checked out by your ENT doctor, you can prevent or reduce the effects of any health problems it may cause in the future. If you have been experiencing loud, disruptive snoring for a while, it might be time to visit your ENT doctor.

There are many potential causes of snoring, ranging from mild inconvenience to something that could cause significant health problems. If you have been experiencing excessive snoring for an extended period, the best thing to do is get checked out by your ENT doctor right away!

Why is Sleep Apnea Dangerous?

If you have been experiencing loud, disruptive snoring for a while that lasts throughout the night and affects your sleep quality, it could be obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. It has also been linked to diabetes and depression by leading to insufficient restful sleep.

If left untreated, lengthy sleep apnea episodes can even cause death. If you have been experiencing these symptoms, it is best to get checked out by your ENT doctor as soon as possible. Additionally, if you feel tired during the day, experience memory loss or depression, it is best to seek out professional help.

How Does Poor Sleep Affect Your Quality of Life?

It can be difficult to get through the day when you are not sleeping well. Research shows that poor sleep quality affects your mood, cognitive abilities and overall quality of life. In addition, people with poor sleep quality are more likely to experience chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. So how can you tell if your snoring affects your quality of life?

The following symptoms may indicate that you need to see an ENT doctor:

You are excessively sleepy during the day.
You have difficulty concentrating or staying focused.
You are irritable or moody.
Your partner has complained that your snoring is disrupting their sleep.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is essential to seek medical help. An ENT doctor can help determine the cause of your snoring and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Lifestyle Changes

You can make many lifestyle changes to help reduce or stop snoring. Some of these changes include losing weight, quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol before bedtime. Additionally, you can try sleeping on your side or using a nasal strip to open your airway.

Oral Appliances

An oral appliance is a device that is worn in the mouth to keep the airway open during sleep. This type of device is often recommended for people who have mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

Surgery

If lifestyle changes and oral appliances do not help reduce your snoring, surgery may be an option. In addition, surgery can treat obstructive sleep apnea and nasal congestion caused by allergies or a deviated septum.

So, if you're experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it's important to see an ENT doctor. An ENT can help determine the cause of your snoring and recommend appropriate treatment options. Treatment for snoring may include lifestyle changes, oral appliances or surgery. It's important to seek medical help if you're experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, as they may indicate that your snoring affects your quality of life.

Snoring affects your quality of life. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above or often hear concerns from your spouse or partner, visiting an ENT specialist is the recommended action plan. Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates have a dedicated team who'll help you with a smile. Call us today at Sylva: 828-586-7474, Franklin: 828-524-5599, Murphy: 828-835-1014 and New Asheville: 828-458-8100. It's never too late to decide to improve your quality of life.