What causes snoring?
You snore when air can’t move through your throat and airways freely, and it vibrates the soft tissues at the top of your throat. Those vibrations cause the rumbling, snorting sounds of snoring. Many factors and conditions contribute to reduced airflow while you sleep, including:
- Being overweight or obese
- Drinking alcohol before bed
- A low, thick palate or a large uvula
- A deviated septum
- Chronic nasal congestion or sinusitis
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
If your snoring is due to OSA, you may experience other symptoms such as daytime sleepiness, irritability, poor concentration, and a higher risk of issues like high blood pressure and heart conditions.
If I snore, does that mean I have sleep apnea?
While snoring is a prevalent symptom of OSA, it’s not the only reason you might snore. Your snoring could be caused by any of the reasons mentioned above.
If your partner or family complain about your snoring, even if you don’t experience other symptoms of disrupted sleep like daytime fatigue and irritability, you should make an appointment with a sleep medicine expert like Dr. Joseph.
How is the cause of snoring diagnosed?
Dr. Joseph and his team provide comprehensive exams and a variety of tests to identify the cause of your snoring and disrupted sleep. You begin with a detailed conversation about your personal and family medical history. He asks about your overall health and your symptoms.
Depending on your consultation, Dr. Joseph may want to perform a sleep study. He offers both in-office and at-home sleep study options, depending on your symptoms and your potential diagnosis.
One of the most common sleep studies is the polysomnogram (PSG). The test measures your brain activity, movement, and respiration while you sleep. Dr. Joseph often uses this test to diagnose OSA.
If you have OSA and Dr. Joseph prescribes a continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) device, you’ll have a CPAP titration analysis test to calibrate the CPAP settings to meet your needs.
How is snoring treated?
Treatment for snoring depends on the condition causing it. Dr. Joseph may help you to lose weight or refer you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist to have structural abnormalities such as a deviated septum in your sinuses repaired.
Dr. Joseph also prescribes mouthguards that hold your jaw forward while you sleep to prevent your soft palate or uvula from blocking your airway. He can also prescribe CPAP machines to treat snoring and other OSA symptoms.
If you’re concerned about your snoring or living with frequent daytime sleepiness, call Dr. Joseph or schedule an appointment online today.
