Snoring
Is snoring an illness? No, but it is a medical symptom. Medical illnesses produce symptoms and any given symptom may be due to a variety of illnesses.
Snoring is associated with a number of illnesses ranging from the common cold and allergies to sleep apnea. These illnesses all have one thing in common-they interfere with normal breathing during sleep.
When asleep, normal breathing is equated to nasal breathing and air flows through the nose into the throat, which is in essence a muscular tube that is more relaxed during sleep. Most people have sufficient space in the throat to allow air to flow easily. Several factors cause the throat to collapse, reducing or eliminating air flow. They include anatomical abnormalities which constrict the air space, such as excess fat deposits, swollen tonsils and other structural problems. Other reasons for airway obstruction include enlarged tongue, narrow maxillary arch, high palate, underdeveloped mandible, large uvula or low soft tissue drape at the back of the throat.
Snoring noise occurs when tissues in the throat flap against each other as air passed between them on the way to the lungs. When air flow is blocked completely, an apnea (cessation of air flow or complete closure of the throat) occurs. Snoring usually happens when the person is breathing in (inhaling) rather than breathing out (exhaling).
This vibration or noise is a rapid alternating opening and closing of the airway passage which makes it more difficult to inhale. So snoring is clear evidence that the breathing is intermittently blocked.
Snoring occurs in all age groups, in both genders and is heard all over the world. It is almost twice as common in men than in women. The likelihood of developing a snoring condition increases with age. Some people snore all night, every night, while others only snore when they first fall asleep or when they sleep on their backs. Some people only snore when they take certain medications or when they have a cold. Snoring can occur anytime there is an obstruction in the nose (allergies), mouth (tonsils) or throat (underdeveloped mandible).
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is defined as an absence of air flow for 10 seconds or more which occurs when there is a complete closure of the throat when you breath in (inhale).
Did you know that one and five adults suffer from at least mild sleep apnea and 40 million Americans have undiagnosed sleep apnea. Did you know that sleep apnea can be life-threatening.
If you snore and you also have other signs of disturbed sleep like excessive daytime sleepiness and headaches, you might be experiencing sleep apnea. Below are some questions to consider. If you answer yes to any of them, keep reading and call our office for a consult with Dr. Montoya.
Do you snore on a regular basis?
Does your snoring cause you or your partner to wake up?
Do you ever wake up suddenly, gasping or choking for air?
Do you experience excessive sleepiness during the day?
Do you have trouble staying awake, even when occupied?
Do you experience headaches, sore throat or dry mouth in the mornings after waking up?
Sleep apnea is a dangerous and progressive sleep disorder (it gets worse as you age). Not only does sleep apnea result in sleep deprivation, but it also can threaten your life. Some of the more serious health problems related to sleep apnea that can threaten your life are listed below:
| Restless sleep, insomnia |
Premature death |
| Type 2 Diabetes |
High blood pressure |
| Hypertension |
Stroke |
| Heart disease |
Right-sided heart failure |
| Arrhythymia (irregular heart beat) |
Memory impairment, learning difficulties, lack of attention |
| Morning Headaches |
Depression |
| Increase in involvement in auto accidents |
|
Sleep apnea is a true breathing obstruction, which requires the sleeper to awaken to begin breathing again. A person with sleep apnea wakes up many times a night to regain breathing, but usually remembers nothing at all about the awakenings. The sleep partner of a person with sleep apnea remembers a great deal about the awakenings and is generally a good witness of the incidents.
Treatment options
Treatment for sleep apnea is determined by the individual’s specific sleep apnea characteristics. Treatments include:
Behavioral changes
Oxygen administration
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
Surgery
Oral Appliance
Why Oral Appliance Therapy?
Oral appliances offer several advantages over other treatment options including CPAP and surgery. They are inexpensive, non-invasive, easy to fabricate, reversible and accepted quite well from patients.
A wide range of dental appliances, oral devices and lower jaw adjusters can reduce sleep apnea episodes. Oral devices work by bringing the lower jaw forward during sleep which opens the airway allowing oxygen into the lungs. Most of the products fit inside the mouth, made of acrylic, and look similar to an athletic mouth guard. The appliances fit snuggly against the teeth and are comfortable to wear.
