Sleep Apnea
Sleep Problems : Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Snoring
Snoring occurs when your airway is obstructed during sleep. Typically, this happens due to the soft tissues colliding in the back of your throat. That collision creates a vibration, snoring. Adults that snore periodically are not alone, estimating that chronic snoring affects 24 percent of women, 40 percent of men, and 10 percent of children. Children might snore due to missing teeth, altering the shape of tissues within their mouth, a contributing factor to blocked airways. Causes of snoring are plentiful, including:
- Born with a narrow airway
- Low, thick, soft palate, elongated uvula, or large tonsils
- Sleeping position
- Overweight or obese
- Chronic nasal congestion
- Alcohol and tobacco use
- Pregnancy
- Family history
Tiredness or fatigue throughout the day are common consequences of snoring and, when it is quite severe, you might not be receiving sufficient oxygen at night. Feelings of illness or fatigue should be relayed to our office immediately. As you snore, you are breathing with your mouth open, which creates dryness that can generate bad breath, bacteria buildup, tooth decay, infections, and sores.
Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea happens when your upper airway becomes blocked while you sleep. As a result, your diaphragm and chest muscles have to work harder to open your airway and pull air into your lungs. Your breath can become extremely shallow, or briefly stop altogether before you start to breathe again with a loud gasp, snort, or body jerk. This condition can also lower the flow of oxygen to your organs and create uneven heart rhythms. Since there are many other medical conditions that can cause these symptoms, we advise you to speak with us about it at your next appointment.
Warning signs of obstructive sleep apnea include:
- Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Headaches in the morning
- Dry mouth or sore throat in the morning
- Difficulties concentrating, memory lapses, depression
- Restlessness during sleep
- Night sweats
- Snoring
- A low sex drive
- Gasping or choking when sleeping
- High blood pressure
- Waking up several times in the middle of the night to use the bathroom
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Children have their own specific symptoms:
- Choking or drooling
- Wetting the bed
- Excessive sweating at night
- Inward ribcage movements when they breathe out
- Issues at school
- Learning and behavioral concerns
- Sluggishness or sleepiness throughout the day
- Snoring
- Teeth Grinding
- Breathing that pauses or ceases
- A restless nature in bed
- Abnormal sleeping positions, such as sleeping on their hands and knees, or with their neck noticeably bent back
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