Snoring is annoying! Does your partner sometimes complain about this issue? If so, you should not lightly dismiss their concerns. Not only can snoring disrupt their quality of sleep, but it could also mean that you have a significant disorder that requires treatment. What causes snoring, and what is the best treatment for it? This blog post outlines some options for Melbourne, FL, patients.
Snoring: What It Is and When to Be Concerned
Snoring is the noisy vibration that occurs when air moves past loose tissues in your throat.
Most people snore once in a while. For example, you might snore if you go to bed when you are overly tired or when you indulge in alcohol too close to bedtime. It can also happen if you have a cold or respiratory allergies. Light, occasional snoring is normal and usually nothing to be worried about.
In some cases, though, loud and frequent snoring is a major red flag for a person’s health. If you snore often, there is a chance that you have a disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In this condition, the same tissues that vibrate during snoring can actually block the airway, causing you to repeatedly stop breathing. Without treatment, OSA can increase your risk of multiple health problems, including heart attack, stroke, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and more.
Treatments to Help You Stop Snoring and Manage OSA
If you are concerned that your snoring may be a sign of OSA, talk to a qualified medical professional in the Melbourne area so they can help you arrange for a sleep test. If you are diagnosed with OSA, you can start considering your treatment options.
- CPAP therapy uses pressurized air to prevent snoring and keep the airway open. While it is quite popular and effective, it has some drawbacks. For example, a CPAP machine can be uncomfortable, noisy, and difficult to travel with.
- A custom oral appliance from a dentist is the best snoring treatment for many patients. These devices resemble mouthguards, but they have a different purpose. They gently reposition your oral structures so you can breathe without interruption. They have the potential to greatly reduce or even totally eliminate snoring and other OSA symptoms.
Frequent snoring should not be ignored! Fortunately, treatment options are available that can protect your health and allow both you and your partner to enjoy better rest night after night.
Meet the Practice
Drs. Kenneth Mogell and Yitta Garden are our experienced sleep dentists in the Melbourne, FL, area. They specialize in providing custom oral appliances to treat snoring and sleep apnea. If you are concerned about the quality of your sleep, our team can guide you on your next steps. Contact us at 321-265-3462.