Does Everyone Who Snores Have Sleep Apnea?

Does your significant other often complain about your snoring? You are far from alone. In fact, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association, about 90 million Americans snore! However, since snoring is a common sign of sleep apnea, it is natural to ask, “Does everyone who snores need sleep apnea treatment in Vero Beach?” The answer to that question is no. Let’s discuss what sleep apnea is, what snoring is, and how you can tell the difference between the two.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder wherein the soft tissues at the back of the throat overrelax during sleep. They thus block the upper airway and cause pauses in breathing throughout the night. Those pauses are called apneas, and they typically last for 10 seconds or longer. Some individuals experience dozens or hundreds of apneas each night.

In addition to disrupting the quality of an individual’s nightly rest, sleep apnea also increases their risk of a number of health problems, including heart attack and stroke. Depression, irritability, and decreased productivity at work are also common.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea because the same tissues that cause apneas may also vibrate as air passes by them. However, snoring is not always a cause for concern. Almost everyone snores on occasion. It may happen if you drink alcohol too close to bedtime, or if you are suffering from a cold or allergies.

How can you tell if your snoring is more than an occasional nuisance? Sleep apnea-related snoring tends to be very loud and very frequent. Your spouse may tell you that you sometimes stop breathing at night, and you may sometimes wake up gasping for air.

What You Can Do

If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, you should ask your doctor or a sleep medicine expert to help you arrange a sleep test. The test will reveal whether you have sleep apnea and how severe your condition is. Then, you can begin treatment.

A CPAP machine is the most common way to address sleep apnea. However, the machine can be a little noisy and might disturb your partner almost as much as your snoring. Many people find that a custom oral appliance, which slightly repositions the jaw in order to keep the airway open, is a superior solution. The quality of your sleep will drastically improve, and your partner will be able to rest without disturbance.

Snoring isn’t always a sign of sleep apnea, but it’s certainly not a symptom you should ignore. If your snoring is severe, it is certainly worth your time to seek professional diagnosis and treatment.

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. He focuses on providing oral appliance therapy to help patients stop snoring and find freedom from obstructive sleep apnea. If you live in Vero Beach or any of the surrounding communities, Dr. Mogell would be pleased to serve you. You can contact his team at 772-882-6800.