Aside from the noise that might keep your sleeping partner up at night, snoring isn’t usually considered something to worry about. However, for people who snore every night or almost every night, snoring isn’t just an annoyance, but possibly an indication of something that could have lasting consequences on your systemic wellbeing. Today, we explore why snoring might be more troublesome than you realize, and what to do if it means you have obstructive sleep apnea.
What snoring could mean for many people
Unless you realize your snoring is a problem, you might not think much about what’s causing it. However, it’s the specific cause behind many snoring habits that makes it such a potential problem. For many people, especially those who snore chronically, the problem lies with their mouth and/or throat tissues collapsing into their airway while they sleep. This makes it more difficult for all of your air to pass through your airway, making your breath more forceful and causing the tissues and walls in your throat to vibrate loudly. This also makes it difficult to receive all of the oxygen that your brain and body need while you sleep.
What it might mean without you realizing it
Snoring and the labored breathing behind it can become seriously problematic for your cardiovascular health if you ignore it long enough. However, the problem can sometimes be even more serious than that, especially if your snoring is a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. Sleep apnea describes a condition where your oral tissues consistently clog your airway to the point that you’re unable to breathe, and it can significantly interrupt your sleeping and breathing cycles. The repeated interruptions not only make it harder to receive adequate oxygen when you sleep, but also make it impossible for your brain and body to reach deep levels of sleep each night.
What to do about your snoring problem?
The good news for chronic snorers and people who suffer from sleep apnea is that alleviating their condition isn’t typically difficult. In fact, many people can address their problem with the help of a custom-designed sleep appliance, which is made to keep your airway open while you sleep and prevent the cessation of your breathing. A sleep appliance can help you prevent the interruptions to your sleep and breathing cycle that lead to loud snoring, sleep deprivation, and more, and is often a more convenient solution than traditional sleep apnea treatment with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.
Find out if your snoring is a problem
Snoring might not seem like a problem, but if it continues often, it could be an indication of a serious trouble. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Creekside Family Dental Care in Columbia, TN, today at (931) 388–3384.