Is snoring the primary sleep apnea symptom? Well, contrary to popular belief the fact that you snore does not actually mean you automatically suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Snoring is more or less just a loud irritating sound you can make while you sleep that's caused by your airway being partially blocked.
The blockage is usually caused by the soft throat tissue itself relaxing too much and closing off the airway.
And while the sound isn't irritating to you (since you're asleep, you don't hear it) you can be certain it's plenty irritating to your sleep partner.
But generally speaking, every snorer is not an apnea sufferer.
On the other hand, many OSA sufferers do snore.
Remember that those who have sleep apnea experience many complete and partial airway blockages during the night.
So, the partial blockages usually produce some sort of snoring.
So in many cases snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea or at least an indicator that it could be happening.
Is your snoring temporary? It could be happening because of a temporary condition.
For instance, you could just be suffering from a bout of the cold or flu.
Perhaps you have certain allergies that flare up from time-to-time and trigger your sinuses to become irritated.
If that's the case, a little rest and care may be all you need; then when you're well, the snoring will go away.
What about your general health? Your snoring may also be occurring because of your general health or fitness condition.
People who are obese make up a large percentage of the sleep apnea population.
If that's the case, introducing more activity into your life, improving your eating habits, and losing some weight could have a positive effect on your sleep and reduce your snoring.
Age is a factor.
Then of course there's the age factor.
As we grow older our muscle tissue tends to stretch and become less firm.
When that affects the tissue in the throat, it can mean an "over-relaxation" when we sleep that blocks the upper airway.
With a partial blockage, snoring occurs, with a complete blockage, you'll suffer from full-on OSA.
In the end, though snoring can be simply an irritant, it can also be a sleep apnea symptom.
In any case it does mean for sure that you're experiencing some partial airway obstruction during the night and that cannot lead to a restful night's sleep for you or your sleep partner.
So do yourself a favor and do a little research, learn a little more about sleep apnea, and consult with your physician.
You may just end up sleeping like a baby again.
Snoring is more or less just a loud irritating sound you can make while you sleep that's caused by your airway being partially blocked.
The blockage is usually caused by the soft throat tissue itself relaxing too much and closing off the airway.
And while the sound isn't irritating to you (since you're asleep, you don't hear it) you can be certain it's plenty irritating to your sleep partner.
But generally speaking, every snorer is not an apnea sufferer.
On the other hand, many OSA sufferers do snore.
Remember that those who have sleep apnea experience many complete and partial airway blockages during the night.
So, the partial blockages usually produce some sort of snoring.
So in many cases snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea or at least an indicator that it could be happening.
Is your snoring temporary? It could be happening because of a temporary condition.
For instance, you could just be suffering from a bout of the cold or flu.
Perhaps you have certain allergies that flare up from time-to-time and trigger your sinuses to become irritated.
If that's the case, a little rest and care may be all you need; then when you're well, the snoring will go away.
What about your general health? Your snoring may also be occurring because of your general health or fitness condition.
People who are obese make up a large percentage of the sleep apnea population.
If that's the case, introducing more activity into your life, improving your eating habits, and losing some weight could have a positive effect on your sleep and reduce your snoring.
Age is a factor.
Then of course there's the age factor.
As we grow older our muscle tissue tends to stretch and become less firm.
When that affects the tissue in the throat, it can mean an "over-relaxation" when we sleep that blocks the upper airway.
With a partial blockage, snoring occurs, with a complete blockage, you'll suffer from full-on OSA.
In the end, though snoring can be simply an irritant, it can also be a sleep apnea symptom.
In any case it does mean for sure that you're experiencing some partial airway obstruction during the night and that cannot lead to a restful night's sleep for you or your sleep partner.
So do yourself a favor and do a little research, learn a little more about sleep apnea, and consult with your physician.
You may just end up sleeping like a baby again.
SHARE
