Understanding the Inextricable Link Between Snoring and Sleep Apnea | According to one study, 45% of people snore occasionally.
However, 25% of people snore every night, which can make you wonder whether it’s snoring and sleep apnea.
But what is the link between them, and what are the differences? Keep reading to find out all you need to know.
Snoring
Snoring is a loud sound that comes from your nose or mouth when you’re sleeping. The noise happens when your airway is obstructed partially.
It doesn’t have to be caused by a disease, but your anatomy, alcohol consumption, and congestion can all affect it.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where you’re snoring, but then you’ll stop breathing. This is more common in men, and age and weight can play a factor in it.
The symptoms will be snoring very loudly in the night, failing to breathe, and feeling more tired in the morning even if you got a good night’s sleep.
The Differences
The link between snoring and sleep apnea is that snoring can happen on its own, but snoring can also happen with sleep apnea.
The most obvious way to tell the difference is how you feel when you wake up and throughout the day. If you’re just snoring at night, you’ll feel okay.
But with sleep apnea, you’ll likely be extremely tired and sleepy during the day.
You may also want to ask a partner if you are snoring in the night and ask them if they notice if you stop breathing at any point.
Treatments
Thankfully, both problems are treatable. But if you think you have sleep apnea, find some ENT doctors to consult with right away. This can be a life-threatening condition, and there are options out there.
You might want to start with small changes, like nasal sprays, medications, or nasal strips.
You may also need to make lifestyle changes, like stop smoking, drink less, and exercise on a regular basis.
You can also try sleeping on your side. This will help to keep your tongue from blocking your airway even more. There are different wedges and products out there that will force you to sleep on your side if you’re not used to it.
If you really do want to sleep on your back, just use a pillow to prop yourself up. this will help to ease your breathing and open up your airway.
If you have sleep apnea, you may even need a CPAP machine that will help you breathe throughout the night.
Learn More About Snoring and Sleep Apnea
These are only a few things to know about snoring and sleep apnea, but there are many more things to keep in mind.
We know that trying to maintain your health and wellness can be stressful, but we’re here to help you out.
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