Snoring in Owen’s Cross Roads, AL is one of the main signs of sleep apnea, but you aren’t guaranteed to have sleep apnea if you snore. But regardless of whether it’s induced by sleep apnea, snoring can be disruptive and prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. And it can impact the sleep of your partner, roommate, or other household members.
Dr. Elizabeth Duling offers Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) for snoring and sleep apnea patients. If you or your partner notice you’ve been snoring, it’s time to come for an evaluation. Even if your snoring isn’t caused by sleep apnea, an oral appliance can be beneficial for controlling your snoring. In addition to offering treatment for sleep apnea, Dr. Duling also treats snoring problems.
Why Am I Snoring?
There’s a very small difference between just snoring and having sleep apnea. The soft tissues in the back of your throat cause both things. This tissue partially blocks your airway. Breathing vibrates these soft tissues, which causes the sound of snoring you’re used to hearing.
For a long time, snoring was considered a domestic issue. Popular culture has joked about it; the other partner is the victim, who has to sleep on the couch because of the snoring sound. But now, it’s much less likely to be something used as a joke. Snoring can be a sign of a serious disorder.
The severity of snoring occurs on a scale. It can be a very slight vibration of your tissue to full-on death by asphyxiation. In between these two are many variations. Lesser snoring is towards the non-severe end; on the other side, it’s apnea. Apnea is what we call periods of complete closure of your airway.
Why Can Snoring Be Dangerous?
Snoring is dangerous because some airways are blocked even at their mildest. Muscles and tissue in the back of your throat relax when you’re sleeping, making your airway smaller. The vibration of these parts is what causes the sound of snoring. The more muscles relax, the smaller the airway becomes. Various pitches of snoring can also occur. When the airway is smaller, the air movement speeds up, causing different pitches of sound.
Sleep apnea occurs when the throat tissue completely relaxes and closes the airway temporarily. Your tongue may relax enough to touch the back of your throat. Periods of silence correspond with this because it blocks your airway completely.
Your body then panics, realizing that you can’t breathe. The body arouses itself, but you don’t fully awake. You simply fall into a period of less deep sleep, which is why sleep quality is so harmed by sleep apnea. These occurrences can happen 40-60 times per hour in sleep apnea patients.
At this level, you’re suffering from severely disrupted sleep. Your overall quality of life deteriorates. Serious health problems can develop, like heart attacks, strokes, or high blood pressure. You’re at more risk just going about your daily life as well. You’re more likely to fall asleep at inopportune times, like when you’re driving.
How you feel throughout the day is one of the better indications of whether your snoring is serious. Suppose you’re exhibiting sleep apnea symptoms like frequent headaches upon waking, depression and irritability, and feeling tired even when you’ve had a full night of sleep. In that case, you should talk to your dentist about possible sleep apnea.
Snoring FAQs
People can see snoring as harmless when it can be quite dangerous. Learn more by reading the answers to these often-asked questions.
Why did I suddenly start snoring?
Many things can cause you to snore when you didn’t before. If you’re drinking alcohol or using cannabis more often, you’re more likely to snore. Certain medications can cause this as well. You’re also more likely to snore when you’re older, as the muscles in the back of your throat weaken. Gaining weight means that there’s more tissue that can complicate airflow.
Does snoring go away?
It depends on what’s causing your snoring. If you’ve only noticed it when you have allergies or catch a cold, it’s not likely to be a chronic condition. When you snore regularly and disturb your or your partner’s sleep, it’s not something that will just go away. See a doctor or a sleep apnea dentist.
How do I know if I’m snoring when I live alone?
If you suspect you’re snoring, it’s hard to get proof when you don’t catch it at night. We may recommend a sleep study to help us determine what your body is doing at night. Another good technique is to use your phone to record yourself sleeping. It can catch sounds and behaviors that you can’t on your own.
When I’m snoring, am I still sleeping?
This depends on the type of snoring. With the occasional snore, you’re most likely still sleeping. It won’t disturb your sleep, and you shouldn’t feel the impact of snoring in the morning. When it’s more regular, it wakes you up, whether or not you realize it. It can continue to wake you up multiple times throughout the night, causing you not to get the sleep you need.
Can my smart watch detect when I’m snoring?
As technology advances, it gets easier to detect snoring. If you have your smartphone in bed or wear a smartwatch to sleep, they can detect snoring and other anomalies when you’re sleeping. While they’re helpful tools, don’t take their word for a set diagnosis. Contact us to get a medical diagnosis and begin treatment.
When should I worry about snoring?
Snoring isn’t always a serious problem, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If it wakes you up in the middle of the night, it’s a more serious issue. You may also notice that you got a good night’s sleep, but you still feel tired when you wake up. Both of these things are signs of sleep apnea. Other symptoms include waking up with headaches or disturbing your partner with your snoring.
Treating Snoring With Dr. Duling
Oral appliance therapy can help with mild snoring or sleep apnea. Talk with Dr. Duling about your symptoms and see whether oral appliance therapy suits you. Call us or schedule an appointment online.