What 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
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 or Snoring
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

  1. Susannah
    April 16, 2013

    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.

  2. Michael
    April 16, 2013

    My father has this. I never knew it was a big deal, he always said he just stopped snoring in his sleep.

    • admin
      April 21, 2013

      Yes Michael. It can be a big deal. He needs to get checked.

  3. Imani
    April 17, 2013

    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.

  4. Alicia
    April 18, 2013

    This is a great treatment idea. I would like to learn more about the treatment.

    • admin
      April 21, 2013

      Hi Alicia. You are welcome to call me at my office if you need more info or have any questions.

  5. jeffrey
    April 23, 2013

    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.

    • admin
      May 8, 2013

      Yes, Jeffrey. Have her checked out to make sure if she does or does not have sleep apnea. Very important.

  6. Niraj Ranjit
    April 27, 2013

    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

  7. Daniel Deathcaster
    April 29, 2013

    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.

    • admin
      May 8, 2013

      You are welcome Daniel.

  8. Brandon
    May 4, 2013

    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.

    • admin
      May 8, 2013

      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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  11. Ruben
    May 20, 2013

    Hi Dr. Zinati. Great article! I think I need to be checked out for sleep apnea. I definitely snore.

    • admin
      May 26, 2013

      Hi Ruben. Yes, it is very important that you do. Let me know the results!

  12. Yuki
    June 23, 2013

    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!

    • admin
      June 23, 2013

      Yes, Yuki. It is a good idea to get yourself checked for sleep apnea.

  13. vjadi
    July 9, 2013

    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…

    • admin
      July 10, 2013

      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.

  14. Anmol agarwal
    July 10, 2013

    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.

    • admin
      July 10, 2013

      You are very welcome.

  15. gwar
    July 12, 2013

    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.

    • admin
      July 17, 2013

      Gwar, you are welcome. I am so glad to hear that the appliance has cured your snoring problem.

  16. Lila Gaire
    July 15, 2013

    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!

    • admin
      July 17, 2013

      Lila, thank you. You should have that checked out to make sure you don’t have sleep apnea.

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