Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Snoring is strongly associated with sleep apnea. Because patients with sleep apnea often seem to sleep for normal amounts of time, snoring is also commonly the first symptom noticed by patients or their bed partners. When snoring is present, pauses in breathing may be easily noticed and promote recognition that sleep apnea is occurring. However, the link between snoring and sleep apnea can also be more complex.

 

How Sleep Apnea Causes Snoring

 

Sleep apnea usually causes snoring when air passes over tissues in the airway as they collapse and inhibit breathing. When snoring occurs in association with sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea may be involved rather than central sleep apnea, which is caused by malfunction in the breathing centers of the brain.

 

Not All Sleep Apnea Patients Snore

 

It is important to note that snoring is not always present in patients with sleep apnea. Besides patients with central sleep apnea, some individuals with obstructive sleep apnea may also not snore depending on where tissues collapse in their airway.

 

Snoring itself is rarely a nuisance to sleep apnea patients, but it can ruin sleep for their bed partners. Left untreated, snoring may even threaten the relationship. Patients can address both problems by contacting our expert to discuss treatment for sleep apnea.