Is Snoring Related to Sleep Apnea

Monday, March 30, 2009, 15:46
Health and Fitness
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by Dr. Joe Gatti

Eighty seven million Americans snore so if you do, you are not alone, but you could be in danger. Forty million Americans suffer with chronic sleep disorders, however only 10% have been treated or diagnosed, so there are some walking strokes and heart attacks among you and your friends

Snoring occurs when the airway or passage through which you breathe becomes partially blocked. This can happen when your tongue falls back as you drift off into a deeper sleep. As the diameter of the airway passage shrinks, throat vibration begins and snoring ensues.

Often time this compromise is minor and your body continues to get adequate amounts of oxygen, causing little or no harm, although your bed partner may be suffering from sleep disruption due to the noise. However, snoring serve as a red flag as it could be one of the early signs or components of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In fact, 40% of snorers have been shown to have OSA. Most all sleep apnea sufferers snore in between bouts of apnea, or oxygen interruption.

In one study, patients with untreated sleep apnea had a 37% chance of dying within eight years versus 4% for patients who had received treatment for their sleep apnea. Thats scary. So when your bed partner is concerned, you should pay attention.

OSA sufferers have a rough night and dont even know whats happening to them. In a given night, these apneic events (when a person stops breathing) can occur more than 30 times per hour! Obviously, these people awake exhausted each morning. Sleep should be a replenishing tool for each of us.

In addition to chronic sleepiness, OSA sufferers can have increased risk of heart attack, stroke, impotence, heartburn, morning headaches, impaired concentration, decreased libido, depression and decreased quality of life.

So, what is the cure? Unfortunately, there is not yet a cure, but it is treatable. The type of treatment depends on the severity of the disorder as assessed by a sleep specialist. The goal of the treatment is to keep the airway open during sleep leading to improved sleep, better oxygenation and enhanced daytime alertness. Patients should undergo a sleep study to determine the extent of any sleep apnea. Depending on the findings, the recommendations will vary. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is often recommended in moderate and severe cases, while an oral appliance is usually suggested if the OSA is slight, or if the snoring is not part of OSA at all. There are also surgical options and patients are encouraged to seek advise from their physicians for these.

So, is it simple and annoying snoring or is it serious? Either way, please do not ignore it. It can be a serious health concern, and one that has proven to shorten the life of the sufferer.

About the Author:

Dr Gatti DDS a Lawrence Dentistdelivers a wide range of services to his adult clientele, He has a special interest in cosmetic dentistry and oral appliance therapy for snoring and sleep disordered breathing. In the area of cosmetics he has a long history of providing cosmetic bonding, teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, Lumineers, smile design and smile reconstruction.