Almost everyone snores now and then. But if your snoring is loud, nightly and keeping your partner awake, it may be more than a nuisance. Snoring is one of the most common signs of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which your airway repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep.
Why do people snore?
Snoring happens when air moves past relaxed tissues in the throat and makes them vibrate. Things that can make it worse include:
- Sleeping on your back
- Nasal congestion or allergies
- Alcohol or sedatives close to bedtime
- Extra weight around the neck
- The natural shape of your jaw, tongue or airway
When snoring may be sleep apnea
Snoring alone doesn’t mean you have sleep apnea. But it’s worth talking to a doctor about a sleep study if your snoring comes with any of these:
- Your partner notices you stop breathing, choke or gasp during sleep
- You wake up with a dry mouth, sore throat or morning headache
- You feel tired during the day even after a full night in bed
- You doze off while reading, watching TV or driving
- You have high blood pressure, especially if it’s hard to control
- You get up often at night to use the bathroom
You can read more in our article on the symptoms of sleep apnea.
Why it matters
Untreated sleep apnea doesn’t just affect your sleep. It has been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and a higher risk of drowsy-driving accidents. The good news is that it’s very treatable once it’s diagnosed.
Snoring affects the whole household
Snoring is often a relationship issue as much as a health issue. Partners lose sleep, couples end up in separate rooms and frustration builds. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone; one of our readers shared how a sleep disorder nearly ended her marriage.
How a sleep study helps
A sleep study measures your breathing, oxygen levels and sleep stages through the night to show whether your snoring is simple snoring or sleep apnea. Depending on your symptoms, that may be a home sleep test or an in-lab sleep study. Either way, you’ll get a clear answer and a plan.
Book a sleep study in Deerfield Beach
Ready to get answers and better sleep? Call 1-800-481-3870 or request an appointment online. International Institute of Sleep is headquartered at 2151 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Suite 100, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442, and serves patients throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms, and don’t stop or change a prescribed treatment without their guidance.
