Snoring is very common and, by itself, does not automatically mean a person has sleep apnea. Many adults snore occasionally, and a significant portion snore regularly without having a serious sleep disorder. However, loud and frequent snoring combined with breathing pauses, choking, or gasping during sleep can be a warning sign of sleep apnea. People seeking sleep apnea treatment oregon should not ignore these symptoms and are encouraged to consult a professional for proper evaluation.
Why Do People Snore?
Snoring occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in the nose, mouth, and throat during sleep, causing them to vibrate. When the airway becomes narrow, airflow speeds up, increasing vibration and making snoring louder. Anything that partially blocks airflow during sleep can contribute to snoring.
Common causes include excess body weight, alcohol or sedative use, smoking, sleeping on the back, nasal congestion, nasal growths, a deviated nasal structure, low thyroid function, or enlarged tonsils and throat tissues.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which happens when upper airway tissues collapse or narrow during sleep. This restricts airflow, lowers blood oxygen levels, and triggers brief awakenings that disrupt sleep.
These breathing interruptions can occur dozens or even hundreds of times per night. Although snoring is often linked with OSA, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and not everyone with sleep apnea snores.
Snoring vs. Sleep Apnea
Snoring and sleep apnea exist on a spectrum. Over time, chronic snoring may progress into sleep apnea, which is why repeated evaluation may be necessary. In sleep apnea, breathing typically slows or stops for more than ten seconds at a time, leading to poor sleep quality and excessive daytime fatigue.
Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea
Nighttime signs often noticed by others include loud snoring, breathing pauses, and gasping or choking sounds during sleep. Daytime symptoms may include extreme sleepiness, morning headaches, trouble focusing, memory problems, and high blood pressure. In children, sleep apnea may cause restlessness, aggression, or hyperactivity rather than fatigue.
Managing Snoring and Sleep Apnea
If snoring is not related to sleep apnea, lifestyle changes may help. These include maintaining a healthy weight, reducing alcohol intake, quitting smoking, improving nasal breathing, sleeping on one’s side, and doing targeted mouth and throat exercises. Oral devices may also reduce snoring. In some cases, surgery may be considered.
For sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a primary treatment. It delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep, improving oxygen levels and sleep quality.
When to See a Doctor
Medical advice should be sought if snoring is frequent, sleep feels unrefreshing, daytime sleepiness interferes with daily life, or other health conditions like high blood pressure are present. A sleep study or home test is the only reliable way to diagnose sleep apnea and determine appropriate treatment.
