What is Snoring
Snoring is a sleep breathing disorder that produces a sound as a result of partial obstruction in the airway. When air passes over loose tissue, it causes a vibration that creates the snoring sound. Snoring is often associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, this is a condition in which the airway becomes completely blocked and breathing stops temporarily throughout the night.
Snoring Isn’t Normal
Many people snore, it is joked about in movies and on TV, but snoring is not normal and it may lead to serious health problems. Not only does it disrupt normal sleep for both bed partners, but snoring may be a precursor to obstructive sleep apnea which has been linked to heart failure, high blood pressure and stroke, as well as Type II Diabetes.
Can Snoring Be Cured?
There are many things that may cause snoring. The first step is to seek professional medical opinion to determine the severity of your condition, and to diagnose if you suffer from sleep apnea. In addition, there are a number of things that a person can do to prevent or lessen snoring:
- Avoid sleeping on your back, this exacerbates the condition. Instead, try sleeping on your side.
- Avoid alcohol and sedatives at bedtime, as they can relax the muscles in the throat and lead to snoring.
- Lose weight, overweight or obese patients are more likely to snore than patients with a normal, healthy weight.
If these techniques don’t relieve symptoms, we may recommend oral appliance therapy to prevent snoring. An oral appliance is a removable guard, like a sports guard, that will hold the mouth in the proper position and keep the airway open.
If you or someone you love is snoring, contact Dr. Fleisher for a consultation to determine if you are a candidate for therapy.