Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Snoring is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea, but not all snoring is caused by apnea. Only an experienced sleep doctor can determine if your snoring is caused by sleep apnea. If it is, many treatments are available that can help stop the snoring and control your symptoms. 

In patients with obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, the airway becomes obstructed during sleep. The muscles around the throat relax. This usually is not a problem for people without sleep apnea because the muscles are still strong enough to keep the airways open. Yet, in someone with sleep apnea symptoms, this relaxation can result in the complete collapse of the airways, which causes breathing to stop. 

In those with sleep apnea, partial obstruction causes a vibration and the unmistakable sounds of snoring. If you snore loudly or chronically, or if your snoring is regularly interrupted by pauses in breathing, you may have sleep apnea. A sleep evaluation can identify your specific needs, determine the best course of action to control your sleep apnea symptoms, and get your health back on track. Call us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment.