Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Snoring is a common problem that disturbs the sleep of millions of people, along with their bed partners, every night. While many individuals ignore the effects of snoring by thinking of it simply as an off-putting noise, snoring can be a symptom of a much more serious medical condition, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). It is important to determine whether your condition is benign snoring or potentially life threatening sleep apnea.

People who snore are often targets of middle of the night elbow thrusts, given the disruptive nature of the noise. The sound associated with snoring is created when the tissues of the soft palate, tongue or throat partially block the airway and vibrate against the back of the throat during sleep. It is estimated that snoring affects about half of adults by the age of 40. Although "normal" snoring can be alleviated by non-medical treatment, such as switching pillows, sleep positions, or making lifestyle changes, sleep apnea is potentially lethal and should be properly treated by a medical professional.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a condition in which the soft tissues of the soft palate, tongue or throat completely block the airway. During these brief periods of suffocation, the oxygen levels in the body can be reduced to dangerous levels. Sleep apnea can cause breathing to cease for more than ten seconds which can occur as many as 300 times or more during the night. Because of the severe oxygen reduction, the body works harder to open the blocked airways, in turn drastically reducing the quality of sleep. People afflicted with Sleep Apnea oftentimes wake up feeling tired and unrested. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from Sleep Apnea:

· Loud snoring
· Restless sleep
· Frequent silences during sleep due to breaks in breathing
· Choking or gasping during sleep to get air into the lungs
· Sudden awakenings to restart breathing or waking up in a sweat
· Daytime sleepiness and feeling unrefreshed by a night’s sleep
· Irritability or moodiness

There are a variety of dental and oral devices on the market today that can be used to reduce the effects of chronic snoring or sleep apnea. If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, be sure to see a Board Certified Sleep Specialist for a diagnosis. If you have already been diagnosed, the primary form of therapy suggested by experts is a dental sleep apnea appliance.

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