Interrupted sleep and constant snoring can be frustrating and disruptive. In some cases, they may also be signs of an underlying sleep disorder. Both sleep apnea and snoring can be complex to understand and manage. Fortunately, at Southwest Mississippi ENT, we’re committed to offering advanced treatment options that are designed to help improve your sleep and overall quality of life.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition in which the body momentarily stops breathing in repeated cycles throughout the night, as the sufferer sleeps. The repeated cycle of breathing pauses prevent proper oxygen flow in the body. Because of this, patients with sleep apnea will often suffer from poor quality of sleep. If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in serious health conditions.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. The condition results from the soft tissues in the back of the throat relaxing and blocking the airway preventing proper breathing during sleep. When the brain detects the obstruction in the airways, it sends a signal to wake you repeatedly throughout the night, resulting in serious sleep disruptions.
Central Sleep Apnea
Central sleep apnea (CSA) is another type of sleep apnea. While far less common than obstructive sleep apnea, it is more severe. CSA develops because of a neurological condition. The brain is not functioning properly as it should, failing to tell the muscles to breathe properly during sleep. This results in pauses in breathing—not due to a blocked airway, but because the brain fails to send the correct signals to the breathing muscles.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea presents a variety of symptoms. They are often uncomfortable and include:
- Frequently waking from sleep
- Loud snoring
- Choking or gasping
- Restlessness at night
- Morning headaches
- Chronic fatigue
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Concentration and memory problems
- Mood changes
- Loss of libido
Understanding Snoring
Snoring is a reverberating noise that comes from the muscles in the mouth and throat. When these muscles relax too much during deep sleep, they can restrict the airways and cause a vibration in the tissues. This results in a snoring sound. While light snoring is normal for most, extreme snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea, a more serious sleep disorder.
Types of Snoring
Frequent snoring affects a significant portion of the population. Some studies estimate that up to 15% of adults may snore regularly, while approximately 40% of men and 30% of women report occasional snoring. While snoring is common, not everyone snores in the same way. Lifestyle habits, sleep positions, and individual anatomy can contribute to different types of snoring, including:
- Mouth snoring
- Throat snoring
- Tongue snoring
- Nasal snoring
Symptoms of Snoring
It may be difficult to determine whether you snore when you sleep unless someone tells you that you do. You can also look out for other symptoms that may indicate that you snore while you sleep:
- Constantly waking during sleep
- Inability to achieve deep and restorative sleep
- Chronic daytime fatigue
- Blood pressure is elevated
Causes of Snoring
Some cases of snoring are simple and only temporary while some are more severe and can be a sign of sleep apnea. Several things can cause snoring including:
- Excess tissue in the throat
- Blocked nasal airways (can be due to allergies, sinus infections, nasal polyps, and more)
- Extended soft palate and/or uvula
- Weak throat and tongue muscles
- Weight
- Sleep deprivation
- Sleep position
- Alcohol and drug use
How to Diagnose Sleep Apnea and Snoring
At Southwest Mississippi ENT, we begin sleep apnea and snoring diagnoses with a thorough physical examination. This allows our experts to detect minor concerns like swollen tonsils or a deviated septum which can contribute to snoring. We may also recommend imaging tests to get a clearer view of the airways. In some cases, a sleep study can aid in the diagnosis.
The Process of a Sleep Study
Your healthcare provider may recommend a sleep study to gain more insights into your sleep apnea or snoring. A sleep study will measure important health indicators like heart rate, breathing, and brain activity during sleep. The test can be done at home and will have you hooked up to a machine to monitor your sleep. It can also be done in our facilities using a polysomnography test which will look at your sleep patterns.
Treatment for Snoring
There are several treatment options for snoring and they depend on the severity of the patient’s snoring. These treatments can include:
- Oral appliances to open the patient’s airways during sleep
- Lifestyle changes like weight loss, quitting smoking, or limiting alcohol intake
- Surgery to remove or reduce the size of tissues in the throat
- Using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to push air into the airway during sleep
Snoring vs Sleep Apnea
While excessive snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, not every case of snoring equates to a case of sleep apnea. Snoring can be due to several causes including a simple change in your sleep position. On the contrary, sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by repeated cycles of breathing interruptions during sleep. If left untreated, it can lead to more severe health implications.
Choose Southwest Mississippi ENT for Your Sleep Troubles
Southwest Mississippi ENT is proud to offer patient-centered care for individuals experiencing sleep apnea and snoring. With years of experience and access to advanced diagnostic tools, we work to identify the root causes of your sleep and breathing concerns. Whether your symptoms are mild or more complex, we’re here to provide personalized and effective treatment options tailored to your needs.
Schedule a Consultation Today
If you’re ready to reclaim your sleep, Southwest Mississippi ENT is here to help. Our team is dedicated to evaluating your concerns and guiding you toward solutions that may improve your sleep and reduce disruptive symptoms. Schedule a consultation today!
