Sleep Apnea FAQs
Snoring may be caused by a number of factors which is why the treatment is meant to target whatever underlying condition is causing you to snore. This may include certain lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to lose weight or avoiding alcohol consumption before bed as it relaxes their airways and encourages snoring. Surgery may also be an option, particularly if you have a narrow airway due to a deviated septum, enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Targeting allergies may also relieve nasal congestion. If the snoring is associated with sleep apnea then an oral appliance may be helpful nasal hygiene, sleep hygiene, myofunctional therapy etc.
Snoring may not always be a simple fact over being overweight or having a stuffy nose. Sometimes it can indicate a far more dangerous condition calls Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This condition causes the airway to be briefly and fully constricted meaning that air can no longer enter the lungs – stopping breathing. The blood oxygen levels become reduces and the brain sends out an emergency signal causing a deep gasping breath. It can occur multiple times in an hour which can lead to daytime drowsiness, obesity, diabetes, raised blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Snoring is a symptom of OSA.
Men are more prone to snoring than women, primarily due to biological reasons. The male voice box is situated much lowers in the throat which creates a larger space that is left open in the airway. When the tongue relaxes during sleep, this larger space means that it can only block part of the airway which leaves more room for air vibration otherwise known as snoring.
When we sleep, our bodies are responsible for maintaining regular airflow during our resting periods. Sleep apnea occurs when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep, cutting off the supply of oxygen and disrupting the sleep cycle. Sleep apnea and sleep breathing issues affect millions of Americans every year, with many undiagnosed or avoiding treatment altogether.
Many people battle with sleep due to a chaotic lifestyle, but for others it may stem from an undiagnosed sleep breathing disorder. If sleep apnea is the cause, then it is vital to know that the problem will not resolve on its own. The lack of quality sleep can have a negative impact on your health and lifestyle. Some further side-effects that can accompany poor sleep include:
- Concentration problems
- Cognitive decline leading to memory loss
- Irritability
- Chronic fatigue
- Poor judgment
- Lowered sex drive and/or impotence
- Weight gain
- Depression
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