Snoring and Obstructive
What’s the Difference?
Snoring is mostly a nuisance for a bed partner, but it can also be a sign of a medical problem called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA occurs when the muscles and soft tissues in the back of the throat relax too much to allow for normal breathing. When these muscles relax, your airway collapses as you breathe in, like a very soft garden hose.
It generally takes your brain 10 or more seconds to realize it is deprived of oxygen before it briefly rouses you from sleep so that you can reopen your airway. This pattern can repeat itself 30 times or more each hour, all night long. These disruptions keep you from reaching the deep phases of sleep that are required for feeling rested and staying healthy.
Signs and symptoms of OSA include:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Loud snoring
- Observed episodes of stopped breathing during sleep
- Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking
- Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Morning headache
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
- Experiencing mood changes, such as depression or irritability
- High blood pressure
- Nighttime sweating
- Decreased libido
Treatments for Snoring and OSA
Several treatments are available for Snoring and OSA. But first, a proper diagnosis must be determined with the help of a physician that specializes in sleep medicine. Snoring alone can be treated with an oral device called a Mandibular Advancement Appliance, which can be made for you at South Central Dentistry.
If OSA is diagnosed, the severity, as defined by the Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI), is a factor in determining which treatment will be most effective. Weight loss is almost always a consideration when treating OSA. Mild to moderate levels of OSA can usually be successfully treated using the Mandibular Advancement Appliance. Moderate to severe OSA requires the use of a device that uses positive pressure to keep your airway open while you sleep (CPAP). In some cases, surgery may be an option too.