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While snoring is common and usually harmless, sometimes it can be sign of sleep apnea. Here’s how you can differentiate between the two.
Sleep apnea causes repeated interruptions in breathing.
Let’s be honest, snoring can be loud, disruptive and often the source of a few laughs or nudges at night. But while occasional snoring is common and usually harmless, it can sometimes be a sign of serious issues: sleep apnea. Understanding the difference between simple snoring and a sleep disorder could be life-changing, especially if the sounds coming from your bedroom resemble a chainsaw more than peaceful breathing.
Snoring Isn’t Always Dangerous, But Sometimes It’s a Red Flag
Snoring happens when air struggles to pass through relaxed tissues in the throat during sleep, causing vibrations that produce the familiar snoring sound. It’s usually rhythmic, often influenced by factors like fatigue, alcohol intake or age and doesn’t usually disrupt your sleep. You may not even realise you’re doing it.
Sleep apnea, particularly the common form called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is a different story. With OSA, the airway becomes partially or completely blocked, leading to repeated interruptions in breathing. These pauses can last for seconds and occur multiple times an hour. Your brain is forced to jolt you awake, often just briefly, to resume breathing. This constant disruption can leave you feeling exhausted, even after what seemed like a full night’s rest.
Snoring vs Sleep Apnea
Mild snoring is generally harmless and doesn’t interfere much with your sleep quality. The sound tends to be steady and doesn’t usually wake you or leave you tired during the day.
Sleep apnea, however, often comes with more concerning symptoms. You may snore loudly and frequently, especially while lying on your back. There may be noticeable pauses in breathing, gasping, choking or snorting during sleep. These episodes are usually spotted by a sleep partner, as many people with sleep apnea remain unaware.
Other warning signs include frequent nighttime awakenings, morning headaches, dry mouth, trouble concentrating, mood swings and persistent fatigue during the day, even if you’ve spent enough hours in bed.
Why Sleep Apnea Shouldn’t Be Ignored
Sleep apnea can take a serious toll on your health if left untreated. It increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart conditions, stroke, diabetes and even accidents due to excessive daytime sleepiness. Cognitive issues like poor memory and concentration are also common, and over time, your emotional well-being and immune function can decline.
Although it’s more prevalent in men, people over 40 and those who are overweight, sleep apnea can affect anyone, including children and slim adults. Women, especially after menopause, are also at risk.
Treatment Options
If sleep apnea is diagnosed, there are several effective treatment options based on the type and severity. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is commonly prescribed to keep airways open during sleep. In some cases, changing sleeping positions, especially avoiding lying flat on your back, can help.
Oral devices designed to keep your airway open or neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) tools to strengthen throat muscles may also be recommended. Medications or surgical procedures might be necessary in more severe cases. Addressing any contributing health issues, like obesity or nasal problems, is often part of the treatment plan.
When It’s Time to See a Doctor
You should seek medical advice if you or someone close to you notices interrupted breathing during sleep, frequent gasping or choking sounds, extreme daytime tiredness, poor concentration or mood issues that seem out of place. Also consider a check-up if you have existing health issues like hypertension, which can worsen with untreated sleep apnea.
Bringing a sleep partner to your appointment or notes from them can be incredibly helpful, as they often witness what you can’t.
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