Snoring and sleep apnea, are they connected?

It’s a myth that Sleep apnea comes with snoring. Snoring doesn’t always mean you have sleep apnea. You can snore vigorously with sleep apnea and in other cases you have sleep apnea and you don’t snore.

What is snoring and why does it happen?
In a theoretical way, we can say “Snoring is the hoarse or harsh sound that occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing the tissues to vibrate as you breathe”. In a very simple way, we can say it happens when air can’t flow easily through your nose or mouth.
Snoring is very common and normal nowadays. One thing we need to take into consideration is chronic snoring. We all snore now and then which is because of tiredness we feel may be after a tiring day, or after a heavy meal, or when our body is weak. But in the case of chronic snoring, it can indicate some serious health issues.

The main causes of snoring:

• Blocked Nasal Airways: It can be structural abnormalities like a deviated septum. Nasal passages are blocked due to nasal congestion, and sinus.
• Poor muscle tone in the throat and tongue: The throat and tongue relax excessively during sleep because of the weakening of the tone muscles. Which obstructs the airflow and ends up in snoring.
• Obesity or weight gain: Additional fatty tissue can narrow the airway and affect the smoothness of the air while breathing.
• Alcohol, smoking, and seductive consumption: Relax the muscles the airflow will be harder than usual. Nicotine effects on lungs very badly.
• Sleeping position: Sleeping on the back can a chance of snoring, better choose a side position.
• Age and gender: considering the gender male ratio is higher than the female who snores. Age and body changes can affect airflow and muscle elasticity.
• Allergies: Allergic reactions to substances like pollen, dust, and pet dander can cause nasal congestion.
• Sleep Apnea: check below for details

How to stop snoring? If it’s not OSA

• Maintain a healthy weight: Regular Exercise
• Sleep on your side: sleeping on your side is better than sleeping on your back
• Elevate your head: Lift your head using an additional pillow
• Establish a regular sleep routine/ practice Good Sleep Hygiene: Everyone needs a good amount of sleep and a perfect environment to sleep.
• Avoid Alcohol and sedatives
• Clear Nasal passages
• Stay hydrated
• Treat Allergies

What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where there is a partial or complete airway block during sleep and it disturbs the sleep.

There are 3 main types of sleep Apnea;

• OSA – Obstructive Sleep Apnea, This happens when the throat muscles relax and block the flow of air into the lungs.
• CSA – Central Sleep Apnea, coordination between the brain and muscles to control breathing is lost
• Complex sleep apnea syndrome also known as Treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, OSA Converts to CSA while receiving therapy for OSA

Symptoms of sleep apnea:

• Loud and chronic snoring
• Excessive daytime sleep
• Frequent awakening during sleep
• Morning headache
• difficulty concentrating and memory problems
• irritability and mood swings
• Dry mouth and sore throat upon waking
• Frequent nighttime urination
• Sexual dysfunction in some cases

Treatment
When you start seeing the symptoms first you discuss them with the healthcare provider.
The treatment typically involves a combination of lifestyle changes, breathing devices, and in some cases, surgery.

• CPAP – Continuous Positive Airways Pressure therapy
• BiPAP – Bi-level Positive Airways Pressure therapy
• oral devices
• lifestyle changes
• positional therapy
• surgery

It is very important to consult a doctor who specialized in sleep disorders to determine the most suitable treatment approach based on the individual circumstances and severity of sleep apnea.