Snoring vs. Sleep Apnea — What’s the Difference?

Snoring and sleep apnea are often mentioned together. Some people even make the mistake of using these terms interchangeably! The truth is, though, that even though these issues are related, there are some key differences between them. This blog post explains some important facts that you should keep in mind.

What Are They?

Snoring is the sound that occurs during sleep when air moves past tissues in the throat. If those tissues are somewhat loose or partially protruding into the airway, they can vibrate as air brushes past them. The sound created by that vibration is snoring. Loud, frequent snoring is often a symptom of sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea (particularly obstructive sleep apnea) is a disorder that occurs when the same tissues that vibrate during snoring actually block the airway, leading to repeated pauses in breathing throughout the night.

How to Recognize Harmless Snoring

While snoring can indicate the presence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it can also be perfectly harmless. In fact, most people snore on occasion. Here are some signs that your snoring is probably nothing to be concerned about:

• Your snoring is light and/or occasional.
• It only occurs under certain conditions, such as when you are extremely tired, drink a little too much alcohol, or are dealing with acute nasal congestion.
• The overall quality of your sleep does not seem to be affected.

Is It Sleep Apnea?

OSA is a serious medical condition, so it is important that you stay on the lookout for signs that you might have it. Here are some good reasons to talk to a medical professional about the quality of your sleep:

• You snore loudly and frequently.
• Your partner has noticed that you sometimes stop breathing during sleep.
• You often wake up feeling exhausted.
• You sometimes wake up gasping for air.
• You suffer from frequent morning headaches and sore throats.

If you get tested for sleep apnea and find out that you have it, you can start exploring your treatment options. Many patients find success with a small, custom oral appliance from a sleep dentist.

Does Loud Snoring Always Indicate Sleep Apnea?

While loud, frequent snoring is a classic symptom of OSA, it should be noted that not everyone with OSA snores, and not everyone who snores has OSA. That is why you should look out for other symptoms of a sleep disorder. The overall quality of your sleep is more important than the presence or absence of snoring.

Snoring and sleep apnea are related but very different! Knowing basic facts about these issues can equip you to seek appropriate care when necessary.

Meet the Practice

Drs. Kenneth Mogell and Yitta Garden are proud to work together to help patients in our area find relief from obstructive sleep apnea. They do so by providing custom oral appliances that gently shift the jaw in order to keep the airway open during sleep. If you are interested in learning more about them and how they may be able to assist you, contact any of our locations or call our Boca Raton office at 561-353-5252.