Sleep Apnea or Snoring?
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May 15, 2013What is sleep apnea and what is plain snoring? Is there a difference? And if there is, does it matter? Statistics shows that out of 80 million people that snore in North America, around 12 million of them have a condition called sleep apnea. Should there be a concern with these numbers?
What is the cause of snoring?
Snoring Or Sleep Apnea
Snoring happens when there is an obstruction of the airway. This happens during sleep because the area around the jaw relaxes and slacks blocking the airways. As the body stresses on pushing the air through, the uvula and soft palate will then vibrate and causes the snoring sound. There are other reasons for snoring too like drinking, allergies, deviated septum, large tonsils, and even being overweight.
Snoring is not really life threatening. When it becomes chronic, then there is a great possibility that it is not a common snore but a sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious matter. This is a condition where a person stops breathing. People with severe sleep apnea may stop breathing up to 100 times within an hour while sleeping. It can even be up to a whole minute sometimes. This causes multiple health problems like heart diseases and unhealthy blood pressure. This also causes a person to feel tired upon waking up in the mornings and throughout the day. Unable to focus or concentrate is another symptom of this condition.
While snoring is not a health issue, sleep apnea is. Fortunately, there are treatments for it. 1- The CPAP or the continuous positive
Sleep Apnea
airway pressure 2- Oral appliances. CPAP therapy is prescribed by your physician and involves wearing a mask. This device can be uncomfortable to sleep with that is why more and more people opt for the oral appliances which are available by a dentist licensed to administer it. These appliances for the mouth are very unobtrusive as they look like a mouth guards that are very flexible. These appliances help keep airway passages open and easing the passage of air by moving the lower jaw in a forward position. This in turn will lessen the vibration of the soft tissues. This treatment for sleep apnea is more affordable and more comfortable to wear while sleeping.
This appliance can also be used to stop snoring even if you don’t have sleep apnea. Your spouse will really appreciate you taking the step to get rid of your snoring. Because remember, your snoring affects your spouse as well.
For more information on this please call our office or make an appointment. 323-771-7254
30 Comments
I never knew that there was a high chance of sleep apnea if you are a chronic snorer! I’ll have to let my dad know-he’s a chronic snorer.
My father has this. I never knew it was a big deal, he always said he just stopped snoring in his sleep.
Yes Michael. It can be a big deal. He needs to get checked.
Ive Always Wondered Why I Snored. me And My Father Have Had This Issue All Of Our Lives. Hopefully I Can Use Some Of The Few Suggestions To Stop Our Snoring.
This is a great treatment idea. I would like to learn more about the treatment.
Hi Alicia. You are welcome to call me at my office if you need more info or have any questions.
I have no idea the causes of snoring can be attributed to several reasons, and lead to a serious condition. I need to remind my spouse she may have Sleep Apnea; not just a simple snoring problem every night, she may be able to get the appliance mentioned from her dentist to curb her snore.
Yes, Jeffrey. Have her checked out to make sure if she does or does not have sleep apnea. Very important.
Thank god! now i think i will be able to get rid from getting disturbed by my father’s snoring problem. i will also tell him the defects of it..thanks to it
Great article, I actually have a similar problem that I have been told by others. Great to read about some of the issues that people have with themselves, was very informative, thanks.
You are welcome Daniel.
This article taught me a little more about sleep apnea. The risks for heart disease and heart attack rise tremendously for those with sleep apnea. My father uses a CPAP and really likes it.
Hi Brandon. I am glad your father has gotten tested for sleep apnea and is using the CPAP. Most importantly that he likes it, because most people stop using it because it’s not very comfortable. There is also dental appliances that people with sleep apnea can wear and it is so much more comfortable.
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Hi Dr. Zinati. Great article! I think I need to be checked out for sleep apnea. I definitely snore.
Hi Ruben. Yes, it is very important that you do. Let me know the results!
Great article on snoring and sleep apnea. didn’t know that if I snore, I may have a condition called sleep apnea which is very dangerous!
Yes, Yuki. It is a good idea to get yourself checked for sleep apnea.
I tease my friend for snoring during camps… but now i realize that he has to be checked by a doctor.. he is obese and snore a lot.. also he complains that he never feels refreshed even after a good night sleep…
Hi Vjadi. Yeah, sometimes we can make a joke out of it with our friends, but I am glad you read this and can inform him to check checked out.
My father does snore often during his sleeping but i think he doesn’t have sleep apnea.This article is great and i thinks that oral appliances might cure him from snoring.Thanks very much.
You are very welcome.
My wife has had a very hard time sleeping because of my snoring, and I was told to look into some “mask”, so I asked my doctor and he gave me one of those oral appliances and it cured me! So great to see people helping other people out! Thanks for the article.
Gwar, you are welcome. I am so glad to hear that the appliance has cured your snoring problem.
I have this problem since 2/3 years and its very irregular for me. Someday I make loud sound but next day its all right for me. Very true article and the solutions given here are very practical as well; good job!
Lila, thank you. You should have that checked out to make sure you don’t have sleep apnea.
[…] What is rest apnea and what is plain snoring? Statistics reveals that out of 80 million people that snore in North The united state, around 12 million of them have actually a problem called rest apnea. In this post, I will certainly go over what is rest apnea and what is snoring and what are the actions you require to take to safeguard on your own. […]
[…] Just what is sleep apnea and just what is simple snoring? Is there a difference? And if there is, does it matter? Data shows that out of 80 million folks that snore in North America, around 12 million of them have a condition called sleep apnea. Should there be a concern with these numbers? In this blog post, I will go over just what is sleep apnea and just what is snoring and just what are the steps you should take to protect yourself. Sleep apnea can be a life threatening condition, just how do you know you have it? […]
[…] Just what is sleep apnea and just what is simple snoring? Is there a difference? And if there is, does it matter? Data shows that out of 80 million folks that snore in North America, around 12 million of them have a health condition called sleep apnea. Should there be a worry with these numbers? In this blog post, I will look at just what is sleep apnea and just what is snoring and just what are the steps you should take to secure yourself. Sleep apnea can be a life threatening health condition, just how do you know you have it? […]