Snoring Doctors in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island

What is snoring?

We’ve all heard it before — that loud, heavy constant breathing sound known as snoring. Regardless of who it’s coming from, snoring is more than just a sound. Snoring can disrupt a good night’s sleep, cause daily fatigue, general irritability, and, in some cases, lead to serious health-related issues. However, most people who snore do not know they snore until someone brings it to their attention. If you or a loved one snores and you are looking for solutions to stop snoring, a consultation with a Dental365Sleep specialist can help you discover what treatment options are available to you.

What causes snoring?

So why do people snore? People tend to snore when the passages in the back of the mouth and nose are obstructed or blocked in some way. When this happens, it leads to negative air pressure, causing vibrations to occur in the softs tissues, which is where the familiar snoring sounds come from. Common factors and reasons for snoring may include:

• Structure of the mouth, which can cause the narrowing of airway passages and airway obstructions. Having a large tongue or tonsils can also cause airway obstructions that lead to snoring.
• Nasal congestion due to various conditions or structural abnormalities can obstruct airflow and lead to snoring.
• Being overweight can lead to excess weight around the neck area, which can disrupt breathing as airways narrow.
• Eating food or consuming alcohol at night can cause the relaxation of throat muscles, which can obstruct the airway and cause snoring.

What are the symptoms of snoring?

Although most people who suffer from snoring are unaware of their condition until a loved one brings it to their attention, there are certain symptoms that may indicate that you are snoring as you sleep. Symptoms of snoring may include:

• Difficulties concentrating
• Having a sore throat
• Being unable to sleep at night
• Feeling tired and fatigued during the day
• Gasping for air or choking as you sleep
• Having an irregular heartbeat or high blood pressure

Snoring may also cause your loved ones to experience sleep disruptions, daily fatigue, and irritability.

How is snoring diagnosed?

If you suffer from snoring, a sleep specialist can help determine the cause of your snoring as well as help identify and recommend potential treatment options.

Your doctor will begin their assessment by gathering information about your sleep history as well as your general medical history. If someone sleeps in the same household as you, they can also help provide your doctor with additional information about your sleeping patterns and behaviors.

If you suffer from severe snoring, your doctor may run additional tests to determine if your snoring is due to sleep apnea, which may be life-threatening. Additional testing may include an in-lab sleep study or an at-home sleep apnea test to help measure sleep data, such as your brain waves, heartbeat, and breathing patterns.

Can snoring lead to complications if left untreated?

Left untreated, heavy, loud snoring that is due to sleep apnea may lead to other serious health-related problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

How is snoring treated?

If you know someone who snores, you may decide to sleep with earplugs to drown out the sounds of their snoring. While earplugs can help block out snoring, they do not provide solutions to stop what is causing the snoring. If you are wondering how to stop snoring before it starts, there are solutions available for you and your loved one.

Depending on the severity of the snoring, a dental sleep specialist may recommend various solutions, including lifestyle changes and surgical treatment options. Before recommending surgery, your doctor may suggest the following conservative treatment options:

• Maintaining a healthy weight and diet
• Repositioning how you sleep e.g. avoid sleeping on your back
• Avoiding alcohol consumption and use of sleeping pills
• Oral appliance therapy

Snoring that occurs as a result of obstructive sleep apnea, may require additional treatments, such as CPAP therapy. Speak with a dental sleep specialist to find out more.

If you or a loved one are suffering from snoring, a consultation with a dental sleep specialist can help you be on your way towards achieving a better night’s rest. The dental sleep specialists at Dental365Sleep offer modern treatment solutions with high-quality care and appointment availability seven days a week for maximum convenience. Call 844.365.DENTAL or click the appointment request button to schedule an appointment or to learn more about treatment options for snoring.