Get The Sleep You Need
Do you or your partner have trouble sleeping because of excessive snoring? Heavy snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, but not all snorers suffer from this disorder.
Many people don’t realize that snoring can lead to serious consequences, especially for the people closest to you. Fortunately, our Waxahachie, TX, sleep dentist, Dr. Scott Clinton, has effective solutions for both snoring and sleep apnea.
What Is Snoring?
Snoring is a common condition where a person makes a snorting or rattling sound while breathing during sleep. It occurs when the airway narrows or becomes partially blocked, causing the tissues in the throat to vibrate as air passes through. Snoring can disrupt sleep and lead to daytime fatigue, irritability, and other health problems. It can also be a sign of a more serious sleep disorder called sleep apnea.
How Snoring Affects the People Around You
Loud snoring can often be disturbing to your spouse or sleeping partner. Snoring often interferes with your partner’s ability to get a good night’s sleep, making it a common source of tension in relationships.
Because snoring can disrupt your partner’s sleep, sharing a bed with a heavy snorer can cause many of the same issues that sleep apnea does, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Weight gain
- Interpersonal conflict
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when your throat muscles relax and allow soft tissue to fall back into the airway, creating a blockage. This is a serious medical condition that causes patients to stop breathing dozens of times each night while they sleep.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, about half of heavy snorers also suffer from sleep apnea. These are the common symptoms of sleep apnea:
- Feeling tired and irritable during the day
- Making loud gasping noises while you sleep
- Waking up with a dry mouth or a sore throat
- A diminished libido
- Restless sleep
- Insomnia
How Sleep Apnea Can Affect Your Health
Sleep apnea can have a devastating impact on your health, increasing your vulnerability to stroke, hypertension, and diabetes. It’s important to find out if your heavy snoring is a symptom of a sleep disorder.
Fortunately, sleep tests are an easy way to determine if you’re suffering from sleep apnea. This overnight diagnostic study. If Dr. Clinton identifies signs of sleep apnea, he’ll arrange for you to take a sleep test.
Why Undergoing a Sleep Study Is Important
While snoring may be harmless for some, it can be a sign of a more serious condition such as sleep apnea. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, or heart failure.
Undergoing a sleep study is important if you or a loved one snores regularly. A sleep study can help diagnose any underlying sleep disorders, including sleep apnea. It involves monitoring your body’s functions while you sleep, such as brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and oxygen levels. Based on the sleep study results, your sleep dentist can recommend appropriate treatments to improve your sleep and overall health.
An Easy Solution for Snoring
A snore guard is an oral appliance made to fit comfortably in your mouth. There are many types of snore guards, but they’re all designed to allow you and the people around you to sleep peacefully.
Snore guards work in different ways, such as by holding the tongue in place, so it won’t collapse back into the airway or by shifting the jaw slightly forward to keep the airway open. We feature several different models, so Dr. Clinton will recommend the snore guard that’s right for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any natural ways to treat snoring?
There are various ways you can naturally treat snoring, including:
- Sleep on your side
- Avoid taking sedatives before bed
- Refrain from drinking alcohol before bed
- Treat chronic allergies
- Use nasal strips
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Correct structural problems (such as a deviated septum)
- Get enough sleep
- Stop smoking
While these remedies may be helpful, an oral appliance is a trusted solution to help relieve you and your partner of noisy nights.
When is sleep apnea dangerous?
Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that can be dangerous if left untreated. It can lead to serious health consequences and put your life at risk. Untreated sleep apnea can result in heart attacks, strokes, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.
It’s important to get a proper diagnosis and seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent other health risks.
Can snoring be harmful to my health?
While snoring itself isn’t harmful, it can be a symptom of sleep apnea, which is a serious medical condition. Sleep apnea has been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. It’s encouraged to undergo a sleep study to get the right diagnosis and treatment.
Can certain foods or drinks make snoring worse?
Yes, certain foods and drinks such as alcohol, caffeine, and high-fat meals can relax the muscles in the throat and contribute to snoring. It may be helpful to avoid consuming these items before bedtime.
Bring Back The Rest You Need
If you’re tired of snoring and want to improve your sleep quality, take the first step today. Contact our Waxahachie office at (972) 737-5337 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Clinton. He’ll be more than happy to talk to you about your snoring treatment options.
You can book your appointment below, and we’ll get right back to you. We proudly serve patients in the South Dallas area, such as Red Oak, Midlothian, Maypearl, and Ennis, TX.