We all know that a lack of sleep can make it difficult to work or simply enjoy life. But, sleep disturbances like snoring and sleep apnea are more than just an annoyance. A long-term pattern of sleep interruptions can cause serious health problems. Our specialists can help you get the restful sleep you need.
WHAT IS SNORING?
Snoring is very common. Almost half of all normal adults snore, some occasionally, and others chronically. If it happens only occasionally, there are steps you can take to help prevent or reduce snoring. But if you snore every night or very frequently, it’s a good idea to see an ENT specialist to determine what is causing the problem. Your snoring could be a symptom of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a condition that can lead to serious health problems. Even if the cause is something minor, lack of sleep can affect your well-being in many ways, so it’s still important to try to find a solution.
Snoring occurs when airflow through the back of the mouth and the nose is obstructed, causing vibrations that create a snoring sound. When a child snores, the cause could be enlarged tonsils and adenoids, or a dental problem, such as an overbite. Other conditions that are far less common include airway blockages, such as a tumor or growth, or birth defects.
Causes of snoring in adults include:
When muscles are too relaxed, either from alcohol or drugs that cause sleepiness, the tongue falls back into the airway or the throat muscles draw in from the sides into the airway.
Allergies can create swelling of the tissues of the nasal passages. This restricts airflow and can lead to snoring.
Individuals who are overweight may have excess tissue in the throat or mouth that can cause a breathing obstruction.
Issues with the soft tissues of the mouth, throat, or sinuses are often the cause of chronic snoring. The soft palate, the tissue at the back of the roof of the mouth, may be too long. The uvula, the tissue that hangs down from the soft palate, may be unusually long or too thick. The tongue may be too large, or there may be abnormalities in the base of the tongue that can narrow the space through which air flows. In the sinuses, the nasal turbinates may be excessively large, causing an obstruction.
To determine the cause of frequent or chronic snoring and sleep disturbances, your specialist may suggest a sleep study. There are both at home sleep tests and in-lab tests that can be done.
ENT & Allergy Specialists offers a Home Sleep Apnea test that collects information about your breathing and sleep patterns while in the comfort and convenience of your own bed. The data collected will be analyzed by a board-certified sleep medicine specialist and if there are any issues a treatment plan will be discussed.
Treatment for snoring and related obstructive sleep apnea depends on the diagnosis. An examination will reveal if the snoring is caused by a nasal allergy, infection, soft tissue abnormality, enlarged tonsils, and adenoids, or other issues.
Adults who suffer from mild or occasional snoring may find relief from these remedies:
Chronic snoring can disrupt sleep for both the individual and their partner and may be caused by blocked nasal passages, excess throat tissue, or airway vibration during sleep. Treatment options may include lifestyle changes, oral appliances, or procedures designed to reduce or reshape tissue in the nose, palate, or throat that contributes to snoring. In some cases, in-office treatments or surgery can help improve airflow and reduce snoring, leading to more restful sleep.
