Colin Snow
Snoring is often dismissed as a harmless habit, but it can be a symptom of sleep apnea, a serious health condition. Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that can cause oxygen deprivation during sleep, leading to frequent fatigue throughout the day. It is linked to various health complications, including weight gain, high blood pressure, and increased anxiety. To determine if snoring is indicative of sleep apnea, a sleep study may be recommended. This involves monitoring oxygen levels, brain waves, eye movements, and leg movements during sleep to identify any disruptions to sleep quality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Should you get a sleep study if you snore? | Yes, snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea, a serious health condition. |
| What causes snoring? | During REM sleep, the airway collapses and is blocked by soft tissue in the throat or tongue, causing the soft tissue to vibrate and produce a loud snoring sound. |
| Common reasons for snoring | Natural anatomy (overweight, large adenoids or tonsils, deviated septum), alcohol consumption, nasal conditions (allergies or congestion), sleep deprivation, sleep position (lying on back). |
| Health risks of snoring | Oxygen restriction can lead to increased risk of heart disease, insulin resistance, and Alzheimer's disease. Sleep apnea has also been linked to weight gain, high blood pressure, and increased anxiety. |
| Sleep study procedure | In-lab sleep study: Stay overnight at a sleep center with equipment measuring brain waves, heartbeats, breathing, eye movements, limb movements, and blood oxygen levels. Home sleep apnea test: Use a device to measure breathing and blood oxygen levels while sleeping at home. |
| Treatment options for snoring and sleep apnea | CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), oral appliance therapy, conservative treatments (weight loss, sleeping on side, avoiding alcohol before bedtime), surgery. |
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What You'll Learn
What causes snoring?
Snoring is a common condition, with nearly everyone snoring at some point in their lives, including babies and young children. It occurs when air can't flow easily through the nose or mouth, causing an obstruction in the airway. Mild or occasional snoring is usually not a cause for concern. However, chronic snoring can increase the risk of health conditions such as stroke and heart attack.
Several factors can cause airway blockage, leading to snoring:
- Age: Snoring becomes more common as we age due to decreasing muscle tone, which causes our airways to constrict.
- Alcohol and sedatives: Alcoholic beverages and certain medications relax your muscles, restricting airflow through the nose, mouth, and throat.
- Anatomy: Enlarged adenoids, large tonsils, or a large tongue can obstruct airflow through the nose and mouth. A deviated septum, where the cartilage that separates the nostrils is off-center, can also block airflow.
- Sex assigned at birth: People assigned male at birth are more likely to snore.
- Family history: Snoring tends to run in families.
- Overall health: Nasal congestion due to allergies or the common cold blocks airflow through the mouth and nose. Pregnant people are also more prone to snoring due to hormonal changes.
- Weight: Snoring and sleep-related breathing disorders are more prevalent among overweight or obese individuals.
While snoring is common and often harmless, loud, disruptive, or frequent snoring can indicate a more serious condition such as sleep apnea. If snoring interferes with your sleep quality or is accompanied by symptoms like fatigue, irritability, or gasping for air, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation.
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When to get a sleep study
If you are a heavy snorer, it is recommended that you visit a board-certified sleep physician at an AASM-accredited sleep centre. Snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea, a serious health condition. Sleep apnea is a common and dangerous health condition that causes you to stop breathing many times during the night while you sleep. When this happens, your body becomes oxygen-deprived and may wake up. Sleep apnea is linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and mortality.
If your bed partner tells you that you snore throughout the night, or you feel tired no matter what you do, it might be time to participate in a sleep study. A sleep study can help determine if you have sleep apnea, a sleeping disorder that can cause you to lose oxygen at night due to your airflow collapsing. The result is loud snoring and feelings of frequent fatigue throughout your day. Doctors have linked sleep apnea to a wide variety of serious health complications, including weight gain, high blood pressure, and increased anxiety. These complications can become life-threatening if ignored for too long.
A sleep study (or polysomnography) is a test used to diagnose sleep disorders. It records oxygen levels in your blood, brain waves, and even the movements of your eyes and legs. It will essentially determine how well you're sleeping and what is preventing you from getting a full night's rest. If you've already been diagnosed with a sleep disorder, a sleep study can also help determine if your current treatment plan needs to be adjusted. Sleep disorders don't have a one-size-fits-all cure, and a sleep study could be the key to getting a good night's rest.
If you are snoring and experiencing sleepiness but have had a sleep study that showed no sleep apnea, do not just accept your sleepiness as a part of life. There are many other options to explore. The first thing to do is to make sure the sleep study reflected a reasonably normal night of sleep for you. The monitors involved with a sleep study can often lead to sleep disruption, so if you feel like you never slept normally, the study may need to be repeated. If the results are accurate, there are still treatment options to consider, such as conservative treatments like weight loss, sleeping on your side, or avoiding alcohol close to bedtime. Surgery and oral appliances are also options that may be more suitable for this group of patients.
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Sleep apnea symptoms
If you snore, it may be a good idea to get a sleep study done, as snoring can indicate sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder. Sleep apnea occurs when the airway is blocked during sleep, causing a loss of oxygen. This can result in a loss of healthy sleep, leading to various health complications.
Now, let's delve into the symptoms of sleep apnea in more detail:
Frequent Headaches upon Waking
People with sleep apnea often experience headaches in the morning due to the lack of oxygen and increased blood pressure during the night.
Difficulty Concentrating
The lack of restful sleep caused by sleep apnea can lead to issues with concentration and focus during the day.
Dry Mouth and Sore Throat
The obstruction of airflow during sleep apnea can result in a dry mouth and sore throat when you wake up, as the breathing passages become parched and irritated.
Fatigue and Daytime Sleepiness
Even if you've slept a full night, you may still feel sleepy and exhausted throughout the day due to the disrupted sleep caused by sleep apnea.
High Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Levels
Sleep apnea can contribute to uncontrolled blood pressure and blood sugar levels, which can have serious health implications.
Atrial Fibrillation
Sleep apnea has been linked to atrial fibrillation, which is a heart rhythm disorder.
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms along with snoring, it's advisable to consult a doctor and consider undergoing a sleep study to determine if you have sleep apnea.
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Sleep apnea treatment options
If you snore and suspect you may have sleep apnea, it's important to consult a doctor or a sleep specialist who can recommend suitable treatment options. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can lead to health complications such as weight gain, high blood pressure, and increased anxiety if left untreated. Here are some common treatment options for sleep apnea:
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machine
The CPAP machine is the most common and reliable treatment for sleep apnea. It delivers a steady stream of pressurised air through a mask, keeping the airways open during sleep. This helps reduce snoring and improves sleep quality.
Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP or BPAP) Machine
The BiPAP or BPAP machine is similar to the CPAP machine but offers two different pressure settings. It provides a higher pressure during inhalation and a lower pressure during exhalation. This type of machine is suitable for individuals who find it challenging to exhale against the constant pressure of a CPAP machine.
Adaptable Servo Ventilation (ASV) Machine
The ASV machine is an advanced device that adapts and adjusts airflow based on the patient's breathing patterns. It can customise the airflow to match the patient's needs, ensuring optimal ventilation.
Variable Positive Airway Pressure (VPAP) Machine
The VPAP machine delivers different amounts of air during the breathing cycle, providing a customised ventilation experience.
Oral Appliances
Oral appliances, also known as mandibular advancement devices (MADs), are another option for treating sleep apnea. These devices are designed to bring the jaw forward, opening the airway and reducing snoring. They can also hold the tongue in place to prevent it from blocking the airway. Oral appliances can be custom-made by dentists or purchased over the counter.
Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Making healthy lifestyle changes can significantly improve sleep apnea. These changes include engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol intake, reducing caffeine intake, quitting smoking, and adopting healthy sleep habits. Sleeping on your side instead of your back can also help keep your airway open during sleep.
Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS)
UAS involves the implantation of a small electrical device, similar to a pacemaker, just below the skin in the chest region. It stimulates the nerve that controls the muscles in the tongue, keeping the airway clear and making breathing easier during sleep.
Surgery
In more severe cases of sleep apnea that do not respond to other treatments, surgery may be recommended as a last resort. Surgical options include removing soft tissue from the back of the palate, tonsillectomy, upper or lower jaw advancement to enlarge the upper airway, and weight-loss surgery if obesity is a contributing factor.
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Lifestyle changes to reduce snoring
If you are a chronic snorer, it is important to determine whether you have sleep apnea, as this can increase your risk of serious health complications, including weight gain, high blood pressure, and increased anxiety. A sleep study can help diagnose this condition.
However, if you are looking to address your snoring without resorting to a sleep study, there are several lifestyle changes you can make to reduce snoring:
Lose Weight
People with obesity are more likely to snore and develop obstructive sleep apnea. Losing weight can help to reduce snoring and improve symptoms of sleep apnea. However, it is important to note that weight loss is not a solution for everyone, as thin people can snore too.
Avoid Alcohol and Sedatives
Alcohol and sedatives relax the muscles in the throat and airways, leading to obstructions that cause snoring. Avoiding alcohol and sedatives, especially close to bedtime, can help reduce snoring.
Improve Sleep Hygiene
Working long hours without adequate sleep can lead to overtiredness, causing you to sleep too deeply and increasing the likelihood of snoring. Maintaining good sleep habits and getting enough sleep can help reduce snoring.
Open Nasal Passages
If snoring starts in the nose, keeping nasal passages open may help reduce snoring. Taking a hot shower before bed or using a neti pot to rinse out nasal passages with a saltwater solution can help open up the passages. Nasal strips may also be effective in lifting and opening nasal passages.
Change Your Sleep Position
Sleeping on your back can cause the base of your tongue and soft palate to collapse against the back wall of your throat, resulting in snoring. Sleeping on your side can help prevent this. Using a body pillow or taping tennis balls to the back of your pyjamas can help you maintain a side-sleeping position.
Change Your Pillows
Allergens in your bedroom and pillows may contribute to snoring. Dust mites accumulate in pillows and can cause allergic reactions that lead to snoring. Replacing your pillows every six months and keeping pets out of the bedroom can help reduce allergens and improve snoring.
Stay Well-Hydrated
Dehydration can cause secretions in your nose and soft palate to become stickier, increasing the likelihood of snoring. Staying properly hydrated can help reduce the stickiness of these secretions and improve snoring.
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Frequently asked questions
Snoring is often regarded as harmless, but it can be a symptom of sleep apnea, a serious health condition. If you are a heavy snorer or think you have sleep apnea, it is recommended that you visit a board-certified sleep physician at an accredited sleep centre to determine if you need a sleep study.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common and dangerous health condition that causes you to stop breathing many times during the night while you sleep. When this happens, your body becomes oxygen-deprived, and you may wake up. Sleep apnea is linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and mortality.
The most common symptom of sleep apnea is snoring. Other symptoms include frequent headaches upon waking, difficulty concentrating, and a dry mouth or sore throat in the morning. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consult your doctor about ordering a sleep study to confirm a diagnosis.
A sleep study, or polysomnography, is a test used to diagnose sleep disorders. It records your oxygen levels in the blood, brain waves, eye and leg movements, heartbeat, and blood oxygen. The results will determine how well you are sleeping and what might be preventing you from getting a full night's rest.
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