Snoring
Improve Your Snoring & Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Snoring is one of the most common sleep conditions that can affect individuals periodically. However, when snoring becomes a chronic issue, it may signify an underlying health concern, disrupting sleep and preventing a restful night. At Oasis ENT, our commitment is to assist patients in understanding and addressing snoring concerns.
We provide personalized snoring treatment methods tailored to restore both sleep and overall health. Our approach begins with a comprehensive evaluation to identify the root cause of your snoring. If you are seeking ways to stop snoring in Surprise, AZ, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule a consultation. Take the first step towards a better night’s sleep and improved well-being.
What is Snoring?
Snoring is characterized by a raspy sound produced when air moves through the relaxed tissues in the throat; these tissues vibrate during breathing, resulting in various snoring noises. Occasional snoring is generally not a cause for concern. However, persistent or chronic snoring can lead to disruptions in your sleep patterns and those of others in your household. Our team of physicians and ENT specialists is dedicated to identifying the root cause of your snoring and providing effective solutions to help you stop snoring and achieve a more restful sleep.
What Causes Snoring?
The most common snoring causes are allergies, sinus issues, and congestion that block the flow of air through your mouth and nose. Many people only snore during allergy season or when they have a sinus infection or cold. Other common causes of snoring include:
- Poor muscle tone in your throat and tongue that causes them to relax so far they collapse your airway
- Bulky throat tissue that impedes your airway
- Large tonsils and adenoids that obstruct the airway
- A long soft palate or uvula which can narrow the opening from your nose to your throat
- Alcohol and drug abuse or overuse
- Sleeping on your back
- Using a pillow that is too soft or too large
- Being sleep deprived
How is Snoring Diagnosed?
Our team of ENT specialists and physicians can use a few different methods to identify the underlying causes of snoring. Understanding the root cause is particularly crucial if snoring emerges suddenly without any previous occurrences. Snoring may serve as an indicator of an underlying illness or health condition. Prior to initiating any diagnostic tests, we will conduct a comprehensive review of your medical history, current medications, and any accompanying symptoms. Depending on the assessment, we may suggest imaging tests such as x-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to investigate potential obstructions or other issues in your airway. In certain situations, a sleep study might be recommended. This involves connecting you to a monitoring device that assesses breathing, heart rate, brain activity, and sleep functions either in the comfort of your home or within a sleep laboratory. These thorough evaluations enable us to tailor effective treatment approaches to address the specific causes contributing to your snoring.
Why Do I Snore Now When I Never Used To?
If you find yourself snoring when you didn’t before, there could be changes in your health, anatomy, or environment. Additionally, it’s possible that you were unaware of your snoring in the past, either because others in your household slept through it or felt awkward mentioning it. Sudden onset of snoring may be attributed to:
- Increased your alcohol consumption
- Started smoking or are smoking more than you used to
- Have chronic allergies or sinus infections
- Gained weight
- Aren’t getting enough sleep
- Have changed your sleep position or are sleeping in an unfamiliar bed
When Should You See a Doctor About Snoring?
Infrequent snoring is generally not a cause for concern and is unlikely to disrupt your sleep patterns for an extended period. However, persistent, long-term, or severe snoring may be indicative of a more significant health issue. You should see a doctor about your snoring if you:
- Are snoring more often than usual
- Started snoring suddenly when you have never snored before
- Have other symptoms along with snoring such as nasal discharge, earaches, jaw pain, teeth pain, sore or scratchy throat, fever, neck pain, trouble swallowing, or pain when swallowing
- Are exhausted during the day
- Are impacting the sleep of others in your household
- Wake up frequently during the night
- Have a hard time falling asleep
- Wake up gasping or choking
What’s the Difference Between Snoring & Sleep Apnea?
While snoring and sleep apnea are frequently associated, they represent distinct conditions. Snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea, but it’s not always the case. Snoring refers to noisy breathing, while sleep apnea involves the closure of airway passages, leading to interrupted breathing and oxygen deprivation to the brain. This cycle can repeat several times during the night, resulting in daytime exhaustion despite perceived adequate sleep. Untreated sleep apnea may lead to severe, long-term health complications and, in extreme cases, even death.
Our Snoring Treatment Options
Once we determine what causes snoring, we can recommend the most effective snoring treatment for you. We may recommend allergy or sinus remedies if your snoring is short-term and caused by congestion or nasal drainage. For long-term or chronic snoring, we may recommend:
Lifestyle Changes
We may recommend that you lose weight, stop smoking or drinking, change your sleep position or pillow, or make other lifestyle changes to reduce your snoring.
Oral Appliances
Sometimes, custom-fitted oral appliances can help you stop snoring by keeping your airway open.
Surgery
If your snoring is caused by an obstruction in your airway due to tonsils, adenoids, or another issue, we may recommend surgery to remedy the issue.
CPAP
A CPAP machine is a treatment for sleep apnea, and can also reduce snoring associated with sleep apnea.
Learn More About Our Snoring Treatments
Call us today or schedule an appointment online for a consultation about your snoring. Our experienced physicians and ENT specialists will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your health to identify the root cause of your snoring. Don’t endure another sleepless night—reach out to us today!