The link between snoring and sleep apnea may be stronger than many might think, and at Accelerate ENT we are well versed in helping patients overcome these difficult conditions. Snoring and sleep apnea don’t only cause you to have a restless night of sleep, but they can affect your partner and your level of safety during the day due to chronic fatigue.

At least 45% of adults snore occasionally with overweight men making up a bulk of these individuals. Snoring tends to get worse with age and occurs when there is an obstruction of air between parts of the mouth and throat. When they hit each other instead of staying separated, they create a vibration that comes out as snoring.

The Cause of Snoring

Why might there be an obstruction of airflow while sleeping? Snoring can be the result of a variety of anatomical conditions, including:

A long soft palate or uvula, which could narrow the opening between the nose and the throat. This contributes to the vibration sound when asleep.
Excess neck tissue in overweight adults or even enlarged tonsils and adenoids in children can contribute to snoring.
Alcohol or drugs can cause the tongue and throat muscles to become too relaxed, allowing these structures to interfere with airflow.
Allergies or a cold can also be accompanied by snoring, as it takes more work to be able to breathe normally.

Connecting Snoring with Sleep Apnea

While snoring can be an occasional and stand-alone condition, in some patients it’s associated with sleep apnea. Often termed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it entails instances of pausing one’s breathing for more than 10 seconds at a time throughout the night. These pauses are frequent and occur because of an airway blockage, often causing the person to wake themselves up or at least have difficulty relaxing into a deep and restful sleep.

Evaluating sleep apnea involves a complete examination by one of our physicians, where we will check your nasal passages and airways to determine if there is a visible obstruction. In some cases, a sleep study might be performed to get more information. If you have a history of high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, or daytime fatigue, it’s recommended that you visit Premium ENT Care for a thorough evaluation.

Treating Sleep Apnea

Depending on the cause of your snoring and sleep apnea severity, our professionals might utilize a range of treatment plans. Many individuals with OSA find success through using a CPAP machine at night, which opens the airways with a small amount of pressure. In some cases, a custom fit oral appliance might be a better solution; others opt to undergo a variety of surgical procedures. Our goal is to resolve your snoring or sleep apnea in a way that makes the most sense for you, so we’ll take the time to discuss all treatment options and answer any questions you might have.

If you are looking for sleep apnea testing or treatment in New Jersey, please contact us today.