Many of us know someone, or sleep next to someone, who unintentionally keeps us awake by snoring loudly at night. While snoring may be a common, but harmless, nuisance for most of us, it can be a sign of a more serious health condition for some.
Snoring is primarily caused by blocked airways in the nose and mouth, and is generally more common in men and overweight individuals. People with allergies, large tonsils, excessive throat tissue and colds may also be habitual snorers as well. As a result, the treatments for snoring are various; it all depends on its causes. For instance, if a patient is a loud snorer and is overweight, the doctor may prescribe a lifestyle change.
There is the occasional case, however, when a patient snores because they are suffering from sleep apnea. It is a disorder that involves an individual stopping breathing for short periods while they are asleep. While the primary cause for sleep apnea is unknown, such disruptions in breathing happen because your brain may have failed to communicate signals required for conscious regulation of your respiration. If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a failure of oxygen traveling to the brain and increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke and heart failure.
The purpose of sleep apnea treatments is to encourage permanent lifestyle changes in a patient’s behavior. In more severe cases, Dr. Wright may prescribe a dental device that will keep the airways leading to your mouth open. Otherwise, a patient may be required to wear a mask that delivers continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) while they are asleep. In this treatment, consistent airflow through the patient’s nostrils is provided by a machine.
Dr. Wright will work together with your Physician and your Sleep Center to decide on the best treatment. After diagnosis by the Sleep Center, we assess our patients in the first steps of treatment. Each patient deserves a good night’s rest; if you suffer from a lack of sleep due to frequent disruptions or excessive snoring, never hesitate to book an appointment.