Snoring
Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Palm City
Affordable Snoring Treatment in Stuart Florida
Snoring can be frustrating – for you, and for anyone in close by when you sleep. Not only is it annoying, but it can also be a sign that you’re not sleeping as well as you should be. The Sleep Apnea Wellness Center has helped countless patients reduce, and many times eliminate their snoring problems.
If yours or your loved one’s snoring has a negative impact on your lives, call us to make an appointment. Read on to find out what could be causing your snoring, and whether you have signs of a more serious sleep disorder.
What Causes Snoring?
Snoring is what happens when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat. This causes the tissues to vibrate while you breathe and makes a harsh, sometimes loud sound.
Here are some of the factors that can lead to snoring:
- Age: Snoring becomes more common as you reach middle age. Around this age, your throat can become narrower and you lose some muscle tone in your throat
- Weight: The heavier you are, the more likely you are to snore. Carrying excess weight around your neck narrows your airway.
- Anatomy: Certain face shapes, like those with recessed jaws, are more likely to snore. Recessed jaws fall back more easily while relaxed (i.e. sleeping), causing the blockage that leads to snoring.
- Nasal Issues: Snoring is more likely when you have a cold or allergies that block your airway or cause a stuffy nose.
- Alcohol & Smoking: Drinking alcohol before bed can make your muscles more relaxed while you sleep. Smoking irritates the membranes in your nasal passages and throat.
- Medications: Certain medications can also relax your throat muscles while you sleep, such as Ativan and Valium.
- Sleep Position: You’re more likely to snore when you’re laying on your back since your throat is relaxed in this position.
Does Snoring Mean that I Have Sleep Apnea?
Snoring is the most obvious indicator of obstructive sleep apnea. Although not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, nearly everyone who has sleep apnea snores.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
This is when relaxed muscles block your airway in your sleep. This causes you to stop and start breathing repeatedly throughout the night. This sleep disorder is serious and can be dangerous if left untreated. If you have any of the following symptoms, make an appointment, and seek a diagnosis as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
- Loud, disruptive snoring.
- Choking or gasping for air throughout the night.
- Extreme tiredness throughout the day, no matter how long you’ve slept.
- Trouble focusing.
- Memory issues.
- Irritability, moodiness.
- Waking up with a dry mouth and/or sore throat.
- Morning headaches.
- Chest pain throughout the night.
- High blood pressure.
How Can I Prevent Snoring?
If you have a diagnosis of sleep apnea, you can treat the disorder and prevent snoring by using a CPAP or a customized mouth guard. The Sleep Apnea Wellness Center offers several state of the art, comfortable options for custom dental appliances that adjust your mouth positioning to reduce snoring.
If you don’t have sleep apnea, here are some strategies to try:
- Clear Your Nasal Passages: If your allergies are flaring up and making your nose stuffy, try a non-drowsy allergy medication to clear your nasal passages, and prevent snoring. For a cold, use a saline spray to clear your sinuses. You can also try a neti pot or a nasal decongestant.
- Keep the Air Moist: If the air is dry in your bedroom, try using a humidifier. Dry air can irritate the membranes in your nose and throat, causing them to swell.
- Change Your Sleeping Position: Avoid lying on your back to reduce snoring.
- Avoid Alcohol: Stay away from alcoholic drinks for at least several hours before bed.
- Reduce Sleep Medications: If possible, talk to your doctor about reducing medications that facilitate deeper sleep, worsening snoring.
- Quit Smoking: This can offer quick relief for any nasal or throat irritation, reducing the risk of snoring.
- Reduce Nighttime Snacks: Eating heavy meals before bed can worsen snoring. This is because digestion can relax your throat muscles.
If you have any symptoms of sleep apnea or are sick of snoring every night, don’t wait to call the Sleep Apnea Wellness Center. We can help you say goodbye to snoring, and hello to a pleasant night’s sleep for you and your partner.
