Snoring is a very common; according to the American Sleep Apnea Association, approximately 90 million Americans are snorers. Half of those snorers are labeled as “simple snorers” while the other half have a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. If you and your dentist can identify if your snoring is just snoring or a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, you can better know the proper way to treat the issue. Obstructive sleep apnea may have more signs beyond just simple snoring.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
The biggest difference between sleep apnea and simple snoring is that OSA also includes frequent sounds of gasping for air. Sleep apnea happens when the soft tissues of your throat and mouth to collapse into your airway causing a blockage to the flow of oxygen to your bloodstream. Your body will then believe that you are suffocating, so it will wake you and make you gasp for oxygen. You may want to participate in a sleep study to fully diagnose if you have obstructive sleep apnea, since you may not notice the gasping for air while you are sleeping. If your body suffocates multiple times while you are sleeping, it can impact the amount of restful sleep that you get and put your body through a lot of stress. OSA can put you at a higher risk for stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and more. Treating sleep apnea can help to lower these health risks, while also helping you to get more restful nights of sleep.
Signs It Is Just Simple Snoring
Simple snoring can come and go, and is likely not be a constant in your life. Sinus infections, a cold or flu, seasonal allergies, excessive alcohol consumption, or smoking can all trigger an occasional bout of snoring. Chronic sinus issues or regular smoking can also cause simple snoring. Overweight people tare more likely to snore regularly due to the excess soft tissues that can vibrate while they sleep.
Do You Snore Almost Every Night?
Your dentist can help you to treat obstructive sleep apnea. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling E-Care Dentistry, PA in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, Leawood, Gardner, and all surrounding communities.