What Are Snoring and Sleep Apnea?

Most people often confuse snoring and sleep apnea to be the same thing. Although snoring and sleep apnea are categorized as sleep disordered breathing, snoring is not as serious as sleep apnea. Despite the loud noise that is often associated with snoring, a person who snores is not in any major health risk, as the upper airway is not completely blocked.

The Facts about Snoring

Snoring is a natural incidence that affects a lot of people. In normal circumstances, air passes from the nose and the throat to the lungs quietly and unobstructed. Unfortunately this is not typical for most people as a blocked nose can cause snoring.

In some cases, the base of the tongue can restrict a person’s breathing during sleep. The throat or the soft tissue in the upper palate can sometimes get in the way and start to vibrate as air passes through.

How to Stop Snoring

There is no specific cure to stop snoring. However there are quite a number of possible solutions that can help relieve the problem to a certain degree. But with a little luck, a person may be able to find a suitable cure that can ease their snoring woes.

An unhealthy lifestyle can cause snoring. Too much alcohol, overeating, caffeine, smoking, and lack of exercise can bring about snoring during sleep. Making small lifestyle changes can help ease snoring. 

The way a person sleeps can also lead to snoring. In most cases, sleeping on the back can cause a person to snore loudly. There are a variety of devices such as orthopedic beds and pillows to help a person get a good night’s sleep.

Taking medication or some form of drug may help relieve snoring. A number of homeopathic remedies sold in health food stores and on the Internet are touted as effective for lessening snoring. Other alternative remedies for snoring include aromatherapy and hypnosis.
   
Throat sprays and nasal dilation strips can also help lessen snoring. Throat sprays can be used to lubricate the soft tissues surrounding the throat. The oil of the throat spray will help air pass freely over the throat and reduce vibration. A nasal dilation strip can be positioned at the nostrils to keep them open. 
   
Surgery is also an option in severe cases of snoring. The procedure known as uvulopalatoplasty can reduce the size of the throat tissue and palate. In some cases, the palate and throat tissue can even be removed to help the patient breathe easier and reduce snoring.

The Truth about Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common problem among millions of Americans. The term ‘apnea’ is a Greek word that implies ‘without breath’. Patients that experience sleep apnea may stop breathing frequently while they sleep. In severe cases of sleep apnea, a person may even stop breathing for more than a minute.

There are three kinds of sleep apnea: mixed, central, and obstructive, which is commonly experienced by many people. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissue at the back of the throat blocks the airway. This occurs when the soft tissue caves in and closes while sleeping.

Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain breaks down and is unable to send a message to the muscles to inhale and exhale. Mixed apnea is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea. In all cases of sleep apnea, the brain is able to rouse the person from sleep but only for a short time to let them continue breathing. Unfortunately this results in a poor quality of sleep that can affect the person’s overall physical condition.

Sleep apnea is a condition commonly related to men over the age of forty. However, sleep apnea has also been known to affect women and even children. Another common factor that can lead to sleep apnea is excess weight. Unfortunately the lack of understanding about the sleep apnea results in the lack of proper treatment administered to long-time sufferers of the disorder. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to headaches, impotency, memory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and high blood pressure.

Seeking Medical Help for Snoring and Sleep Apnea

It is a good idea to seek medical assistance for snoring and sleep apnea. A dentist can accurately analyze a person’s symptoms to identify the condition and at best refer the patient to a specialist.

In some cases, the dentist can pass on his or her diagnosis of the patient suffering from sleep apnea or snoring to a sleep specialist or doctor who will administer an overnight sleep study. The study will measure the person’s heart rate and calculate the number of times the patient stops breathing.