Sleep

Approximately half of all adult men and a third of all women snore. Not only is it a sign of sleep apnea, but it can also lead to daytime fatigue and relationship problems. If your partner keeps telling you that you snore, make an appointment with the experts at Lakeshore Ear, Nose & Throat Center in St. Clair Shores, Macomb Township, Rochester, Grosse Pointe, and Sterling Heights, Michigan. For help with your snoring or sleep apnea, call or schedule a consultation online today.

Snoring & Sleep Apnea Q & A

What causes snoring?

Woman Annoyed by Partners Snoring

Snoring is the result of vibrations in the uvula and soft palate at the back of your throat when you sleep. The vibrations are caused by your breath moving those soft tissues on both your inhale and exhale.

There are several contributing factors that may cause you to snore, including:

A sleep disorder known as sleep apnea may also be responsible for your snoring.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where your breath is interrupted while you sleep.

Depending on the severity of your condition, your breath can be interrupted several times a night for an average of 20-30 seconds each time. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you might not even realize that you’re not breathing correctly at night.

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

  • Snoring
  • Choking or gasping
  • Daytime fatigue
  • Concentration and memory issues
  • Irritability

Sleep apnea disrupts your sleep, can cause problems in your day-to-day functioning, and is associated with a range of dangerous health issues, such as:

  • Diabetes
  • Depression
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Stroke

It’s important to schedule an appointment at Lakeshore ENT with a sleep apnea doctor if you suspect you have this disorder to prevent these serious issues from developing.

First, it’s important to note that not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Your physician at Lakeshore ENT conducts a thorough exam during your consultation to determine the cause of your snoring. After identifying the underlying cause of your symptoms, they provide a customized treatment plan.

One of the first suggestions to reduce snoring and sleep apnea is often to lose weight. With about 70% of adults classified as overweight or obese, nearly everyone could improve their health and decrease their snoring by losing a few pounds.

You may benefit from using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or mouthguard while you sleep.

If your snoring isn’t related to sleep apnea, your doctor may suggest a procedure to stiffen your soft palate and reduce nocturnal vibrations. These procedures include injection snoreplasty, pillar implants, and laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty.

If you’re concerned about your snoring or sleep apnea, call Lakeshore Ear, Nose & Throat Center or schedule an appointment online today.

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