Snoring: It could be a sign of something more serious.
If you or your loved one’s sleep is being interrupted, you’re not alone.
Somewhere around one in every four adults snore routinely. 65% of spouses complain that it keeps them up at night, with some even stating that it’s caused relationship strain. Snoring can also be a sign of a more serious issue. It’s time to get better sleep; schedule with Noel ENT’s Sleep Center today.
I’m ready to experience restful sleep.Why do I snore?
There are many reasons, but the process generally follows the same pattern. Snoring occurs when the flow of air through the nose and mouth becomes turbulent, causing the throat to vibrate and produce the familiar sound.
As you sleep, the muscle tone in your mouth, throat, and tongue decreases, which can narrow the airway and create turbulence. This narrowing is what makes the airflow forceful enough to cause vibrations.
What causes my snoring?
There are several factors, but the most common snoring causes include:
- Nasal Structure - A deviated septum, swollen turbinates, or nasal polyps can cause people to breathe through the mouth while sleeping
- Sinus Issues - Chronic sinusitis, allergies, and other sinus problems can cause nasal congestion, making it difficult to breathe through the nose and often resulting in mouth breathing
- Sleep Apnea - Sleep apnea is linked to serious health concerns, including high blood pressure, and can lead to dangerous long-term effects
- Other Causes - Factors like alcohol consumption, sleep position, weight gain, and an elongated soft palate or uvula
How do I know if I snore? Snoring Symptoms
Most of the time, if you don’t know you snore, your bed partner will let you know. However, snoring can impact more than just those around you. Common symptoms include:
- Daytime sleepiness
- Trouble concentrating
- A sore throat in the morning
- Restlessness while sleeping
If you experience symptoms such as waking up choking, or if your snoring is loud enough to disturb others, it’s important to speak with your ENT to avoid potential long-term health issues.
Your Snoring May Be Impacting You More Than You Know
If you think that you are suffering from any of the symptoms of snoring or know that you do snore, take our sleeping quiz to see how snoring is truly impacting your life.
Take Our Sleep QuizSnoring Treatment Options
The best treatment depends on its cause and severity, as well as your personal treatment goals. Common snoring treatments include:
- Lifestyle Enhancements - Weight loss, reducing alcohol intake, adjusting sleep position, and quitting smoking can help
- Breathing Machine - Devices like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or BiPAP machines push air into the airway to maintain normal airflow while sleeping
- Oral Appliances - These appliances control the tongue and jaw to prevent airway blockage and are effective for people with sleep apnea
- Sinus Issue Solutions - If sinus issues are the culprit, treatments for nasal blockages or other sinus problems may help
Sleep Testing at Noel ENT
At Noel ENT, we can provide you with a thorough sleep study that will help us to diagnose the cause of your snoring. Our sleep testing rooms are decorated to look like a luxury hotel room complete with a queen-sized bed, flat-screen TV, WiFi, and tower fans. The ambiance of each room is conducive to helping you relax as well as possible.
If you are worried about the inconvenience or expense of using one of our sleep testing rooms, we offer at-home sleep testing. Some people prefer this because of its convenience and comfortability.
No matter your preferred sleep testing method, we can provide high-quality sleep testing and diagnosis.
I want more info about getting a sleep study
Snoring Solutions at Noel ENT
Our dedicated sleep care team can test and treat sleeping disorders. At Noel ENT we have the knowledge and experience to diagnose and treat your snoring.
Schedule Today!