The Link Between Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Snoring is a bit like blowing into a balloon while holding the opening partly closed. The air can’t flow freely, so you get a vibration-like sound. Similarly, when you snore, air that can’t flow normally through your throat causes tissues in the area to vibrate, creating that harsh or hoarse rumbling.

While most everyone snores at some point without cause for alarm, chronic or severe snoring may stem from a medical condition that needs attention.

At Rozenberg Dental NYC, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City, board-certified cosmetic dentist Dr. Lana Rozenberg and her team offer minimally invasive treatments for snoring and related symptoms.

If you’re concerned about your own snoring, read on to learn about causes, complications, and treatments worth considering.

Issues and conditions that cause snoring

Anything that interferes with normal breathing at night can cause snoring. Common culprits include:

• Deviated septum
• Genetic factors
• Mouth anatomy
• Poor sleeping positions
• Sleep apnea
• Sleep deprivation

Being male or overweight, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, or having nasal problems also raise your risk for snoring.

More about sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is one of the most common and serious causes of chronic and severe snoring. While it’s estimated to affect up to 20% of Americans, about 85% of those people aren’t aware they have it.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common form, happens when muscles in your throat relax to the point that they can’t keep your airway open. As a result, your breathing is interrupted repeatedly during the night.

In addition to snoring, sleep apnea can cause:

• Feeling exhausted upon waking, even after a full night’s sleep
• Waking up with a dry mouth, headache, or sore throat
• Daytime sleepiness 
• Irritable or erratic moods 

Sleep apnea treatment is important, given that the sleep disorder is linked with high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Treatments for snoring and sleep apnea

If your snoring derives from too little sleep or unideal sleep positions, changing your habits can help put a stop to your snoring. Lifestyle changes, like losing excess weight and stopping smoking, may help manage sleep apnea, too.

Medical treatments for OSA include oral appliances that keep your airway open, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, which provides pressurized air through a mask, and upper airway surgery.

At Rozenberg Dental NYC, we offer less invasive treatments for snoring and other sleep apnea symptoms. NightLase® dual-wavelength laser treatment, for example, uses laser-induced heat and tightening to address problematic tissue.

To learn more about snoring-related medical concerns or to get the care you need, call Rozenberg Dental NYC or book an appointment through our website today.