You’ve heard those noises: the rattling, snorting, or other unpleasant nasal sounds that come when someone’s asleep and snoring. This is a common sleep problem, affecting more men than women (44% of males and 28% of females between 30-60), and can be a symptom of other sleeping issues that can affect you in many ways while you’re awake.
Sleep apnea is one of many conditions that affect your sleep that can come with snoring, but what is the connection between the two? Let’s explore the reasons you snore, what factors can indicate sleep apnea, and what we can do to help.
If you live in the Orlando or Kissimmee, Florida area and you’re dealing with sleep apnea or other problems that lead to snoring, our team at Florida Ear Nose Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center can help.
The various sounds that come with snoring are the result of a blockage in your airway, leading to vibrations in the soft tissue in your nose, mouth, and throat. Numerous factors lead to snoring problems:
While snoring is a common symptom associated with sleep apnea (specifically obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form), people with the problem don’t always snore consistently or loudly. However, suppose you’re struggling with snoring as well as other signs of sleep apnea, like recurring morning headaches, choking or gasping when you wake up, deal with daytime sleepiness, or have pauses in your breathing while sleeping. In that case, the condition is far more likely.
Children with sleep apnea can also snore but deal with different symptoms, like challenging behavior changes, asthma that is hard to control, and a high risk of hypertension.
If snoring is linked to sleep apnea, there are various treatment options, including devices and even surgery. Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, is one of the most common ways to treat moderate to severe apnea. Still, bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) or oral appliances are also available if CPAP is not an option.
Several surgical procedures can also help, such as removing tissue from the airway (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty), shrinking the tissue with radiofrequency ablation, repositioning the jaw, nerve stimulation, implants, and making a new airway (tracheostomy).
Many things can cause snoring, and sleep apnea is a common reason for it, but whatever the cause, we’re here to help. Make an appointment with Drs. Han, Livigni De Armas, and the team at Florida Ear Nose Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center today to get help with snoring or other sleep conditions.
