Snoring And Sleep Studies: What's The Deal?

Snoring is a common issue that can cause sleep disruptions and relationship tension, and it affects around 37 million Americans. While snoring is often a symptom of sleep apnea, it doesn't always indicate this condition. Sleep apnea involves interruptions in breathing during sleep, and it can have serious health consequences, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and cognitive decline. If you snore but don't have sleep apnea, this is known as primary snoring, and it usually doesn't affect your sleep quality. However, if you feel tired during the day, experience frequent fatigue, or have other symptoms like irritability or memory problems, you may want to consider undergoing a sleep study to rule out sleep apnea or other sleep disorders.

Sleep apnea and snoring

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes interruptions in breathing while you sleep. The two main types are obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA). OSA is the more common of the two and occurs when the tissue around the upper airway narrows, causing a reduction or stoppage in breathing. CSA, on the other hand, involves the brain not sending proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, but not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and not everyone with sleep apnea snores. Snoring is caused by the vibration of tissues in the mouth, nose, and throat as air moves through to the lungs. If you have sleep apnea, your snoring may be punctuated by pauses in breathing, called apnea episodes, which can recur hundreds of times a night. These episodes can cause your blood oxygen levels to drop, leading to brief and partial awakenings that disrupt the quality of your sleep.

If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, it is important to talk to your doctor. They may recommend a sleep study, which can be done overnight in a specialized lab or sometimes at home. The sleep study will monitor your breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rhythms, and other bodily functions while you sleep to determine if you have sleep apnea.

It is possible to snore without having sleep apnea. If you are a habitual snorer, it can still disrupt the sleep of those around you. There are treatments available to help reduce snoring, such as weight loss, sleeping on your side, avoiding alcohol, and doing specialized mouth and throat exercises. In some cases, surgery may be considered to remove loose tissue in the mouth or nose.

Sleep studies

If you don't snore during a sleep study, it could be an indication that you do not have sleep apnea. However, it is important to note that sleep apnea can still occur without snoring. Additionally, there are different types of sleep studies, and the results can vary depending on the type of study performed. For example, in-lab sleep studies tend to be more sensitive and accurate than home sleep studies, which may miss mild or moderate sleep apnea.

If you are concerned about snoring or suspect you may have sleep apnea, it is important to consult with a doctor or a sleep medicine specialist. They can evaluate your symptoms and determine if a sleep study is necessary. Sleep studies involve monitoring your breathing, oxygen levels, brain waves, eye movements, and body movements during sleep to assess the quality of your sleep and identify any disruptions or abnormalities.

If the sleep study indicates the presence of sleep apnea, there are several treatment options available, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, and surgery. On the other hand, if the sleep study does not show evidence of sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, sleeping on your side, or avoiding alcohol close to bedtime, to help reduce snoring.

It is important to remember that snoring can still disrupt your sleep and affect your bed partner, even if it is not associated with sleep apnea. Therefore, seeking professional advice and undergoing a sleep study can help identify the underlying causes of your snoring and guide you towards effective solutions.

Sleepiness and fatigue

Fatigue and sleepiness are independent phenomena. For instance, in a study of 206 patients at a sleep disorder centre, high fatigue was present in a broad range of sleep disorders, but daytime sleepiness did not predict fatigue. Similarly, in a study of 606 participants, sleepiness and fatigue were found to be moderately correlated but distinct. The strongest predictor of fatigue was depression, followed by insomnia severity, while insomnia symptoms were the strongest predictor of sleepiness.

Fatigue is a common symptom in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). In a study of 38 patients with OSAS, 55.3% reported severe fatigue. The study also found a correlation between the total amount of physical activity and excessive daytime sleepiness, anxiety, social isolation, and the effects of fatigue on physical and psychosocial functions.

If you are experiencing sleepiness and fatigue, it is important to consult a medical professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Treatment options

If you don't snore during a sleep study, it could be because the night of the study was not a typical night of sleep for you. In this case, you may want to repeat the sleep study. If the results of the sleep study are accurate, you can consider the following treatment options:

Conservative treatment

• Weight loss
• Sleeping on your side
• Avoid alcohol within 2-3 hours of bedtime

Positive airway pressure therapy

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy can be helpful for sleep apnea but is not typically used for snoring without sleep apnea.

Surgery

• Minimally invasive procedures like the Pillar Procedure can be effective in reducing snoring without sleep apnea.
• Other surgical options include laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP), ablation therapy, septoplasty, tonsillectomy, and adenoidectomy.

Oral appliances

Oral breathing devices can treat snoring, especially if it is caused by jaw position during sleep. These devices push the tongue and jaw forward to improve airflow.

Nasal dilators

Devices such as nose strips or disks that you attach to the outside of your nose to help keep your airway open.

Medications

Cold and allergy medications can help relieve nasal congestion and improve breathing.

Lifestyle changes

• Going to bed at the same time every night
• Elevating the head of your bed
• Treating breathing problems, such as a stuffy nose
• Reducing alcohol consumption
• Avoiding sedatives before bed
• Maintaining a healthy weight

Lifestyle changes

If you don't snore during your sleep study, it could be because you didn't sleep normally. The monitors involved with a sleep study can often lead to sleep disruption, so it's important to ensure that the night of the study reflects an average night of sleep for you. If it doesn't, you may need to repeat the sleep study.

If the results of the sleep study are accurate, there are still treatment options available to help with snoring and sleepiness. Here are some lifestyle changes that can help:

• Weight loss: Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce snoring.
• Sleep position: Sleeping on your side instead of your back can help prevent snoring.
• Alcohol consumption: Avoiding alcohol within 2-3 hours of bedtime can reduce snoring. Alcohol relaxes the muscles, restricting airflow through the nose, mouth, and throat.
• Nasal congestion: If you have a stuffy nose, ask your doctor about medications to relieve nasal congestion.
• Exercise: Staying active and getting plenty of exercise can help improve your sleep quality and reduce snoring.
• Pillows: Try using a snore-reducing pillow that keeps your head in the proper position to improve airflow and reduce snoring.
• Elevate your head: Elevating your head during sleep can help improve airflow and reduce snoring.

Frequently asked questions