SNORING & SLEEP APNEA

Although snoring and sleep apnea may seem like minor annoyances, these and other sleep disorders can have a big impact on your health. Snoring can also be a sign of a more serious problem, such as obstructive sleep apnea, with symptoms which may include chronic tiredness, falling asleep at the wheel, and morning headaches. Snoring occurs when floppy tissue in the airway relaxes during sleep and vibrates. Most snoring is caused by an enlarged soft palate and uvula at the back of the mouth, although the tongue, tonsils, adenoids and congested nasal passages can also contribute to the sound. The level of snoring can be aggravated by excess weight, alcohol intake, sleeping pills, smoking and poor sleep. For simple snoring (those who don't have sleep apnea), there are minimally invasive procedures available that have shown very good results.

When loud snoring is interrupted by a complete pause in breathing, it is known as obstructive sleep apnea. These episodes last more than ten seconds and occur many times per hour. Apnea patients may experience 30 to 300 such events per night. These episodes can reduce blood oxygen levels, causing the heart to pump harder. The immediate effect of sleep apnea is daytime fatigue. In order to keep you breathing, your brain never lets you get into the deeper stages of sleep, where most of our true rest occurs. Because the snorer does not get a good night's rest, he or she may be sleepy during the day, which impairs job performance and often makes it dangerous to drive. After many years with this disorder, elevated blood pressure and heart enlargement may occur. Proper diagnoses and management includes sleep testing and a variety of medical and surgical treatment options.