Sleep Apnea Connection to Snoring

If you’ve been told you snore by a family member or bed partner, or if you’ve woken yourself up due to making loud noises, you may have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), the most common sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD). Snoring often accompanies sleep apnea: If you snore, there’s a high chance you have sleep apnea.

Snoring is the sound we make when trying to force air through an obstructed airway. Many people think this is due to clogging of the nasal passage or a deviated septum, and while those issues can cause snoring, a few nights with nasal strips will not correct the problem. That’s where a Wilmington, DE dentist like Dr. Goodling comes in.

These are the most common signs and symptoms of OSA:

  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Fatigue
  • Memory problems
  • Lack of concentration
  • Brain fog
  • Irritability
  • Not feeling rested upon waking
  • Anxiety
  • Depression

Treatment Options

Since sleep apnea and snoring are so closely related, when we discuss treatment, we are talking about snoring treatment. The key to effective treatment is to keep the upper airway unobstructed while you sleep. A blocked airway is what causes snoring—you’re trying to push air through an airway that has relaxed tissue blocking it.

People who snore may have a long, soft palate, which can narrow the airway and cause snoring. Also, drinking alcohol relaxes your throat muscles, increasing the risk of snoring, and that’s why part of your snoring treatment plan may require you to avoid alcohol in the evening before bedtime.

While CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) has long been considered the only effective treatment for snoring, more options are now available that are much more appealing (and affordable).

Oral Appliance Therapy is becoming hugely popular because of its efficacy, affordability, portability, and comfort. At Dr. Goodling’s office, you will be custom-fitted with an oral appliance that will gently force your bite, jaw, and airway into their optimal positions for sleep.

Your airway will not be obstructed by tissue that has become too relaxed, and your snoring will decrease or stop altogether. You will get the sleep you need, and your partner will no longer hear that awful sound they have grown accustomed to over the years.

Lifestyle/Habit Changes for Snoring Treatment

Many of Dr. Goodling’s patients benefit by making behavior modifications before or in addition to oral appliance therapy. Some of the most common behavior changes that reduce symptoms include: 

  • Lose weight
  • Sleep on your side, as this is the best sleep position
  • No alcohol or caffeine in the late afternoon or evening
  • Choose a better pillow and mattress
  • Turn off technology at night
  • Keep to a set schedule even on days off from work
  • Avoid sugary food and drinks in the evening
  • Exercise

You may be amazed to learn that some of these simple changes, combined with oral appliance therapy at night, will help you get the sleep you need to function. There’s nothing worse than a bad night’s sleep when you have a busy day coming. Snoring is disruptive to you and to those who sleep with or near you. While snoring is sometimes joked about, and some people even refuse to admit they snore, it’s likely an indication of a medical condition we can treat: Sleep disorders in Delaware are treatable.

Learn More About Snoring Treatment in Wilmington

Please contact the office, today at (302) 994-0979 or fill out our online contact form. One of our team members will reach out to answer questions about snoring treatment in Wilmington or to schedule a new patient evaluation. If you’ve had a sleep study done, please ensure we get those results so Dr. Goodling can evaluate the findings and think about the right snoring treatment plan.