What Causes Snoring?

Snoring is one of the most common sleep concerns patients have. This condition is not limited to adults but can also affect children. Moreover, the severity and health implications of snoring Rockville may vary. Patients should get an accurate diagnosis revealing the underlying cause of this sleep problem and thus restore sound sleeping. Patients should appreciate the snoring they have to recognize any challenges that the condition may be causing to their health.

What are the dangers of snoring?

Snoring is a process that involves the rattling and vibration of respiratory tissues. Muscle relaxation, specifically those in the back of the throat, loosens and causes airway narrowing. When patients breathe during sleep, fluttering in the tissues at the back of the throat near the airway occurs.

What factors increase a patient’s risk of snoring?

The likelihood of snoring depends on the size and shape of the structures that make up the airway and throat. Patients also develop this condition when there is excess relaxation in the muscles. Narrowing the airway is the leading cause of snoring and thus a risk factor for the disease. The following are other risk factors that may increase a patient’s risk of developing sleep problems like snoring:

• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Excess alcohol consumption
• Deviated septum
• Large tonsils
• Chronic nasal congestion

Other risk factors like age and gender vary. However, this sleep problem is more prevalent in older patients than children. Also, men snore more than women.

What is the difference between snoring and sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where there is a blockage in a patient’s airway, which causes repeated breath lapses that may interrupt sleep. Snoring is a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. However, physicians do not classify all snoring patients as having obstructive sleep apnea. Moreover, patients with mild snoring do not evoke severe symptoms like choking and gasping, which results from obstructive sleep apnea.

Is snoring dangerous?

The side effects of snoring depend on the severity and frequency of symptoms. The following are the main types of snoring:

Light snoring: Most patients with this type of snoring experience infrequent episodes. There is no need to find treatment for light snoring unless you have a bed partner that cannot sleep when you snore.

Primary snoring: This type of snoring is more frequent than light snoring. Physicians classify primary snoring depending on frequency. If you snore more than three times a week, that is primary snoring. Primary snoring is not a cause of alarm, especially if it does not cause sleep disruptions.

Obstructive sleep apnea-related snoring: Patients with this type of snoring should seek medical intervention because obstructive sleep apnea poses a threat to a patient’s sleep and overall health. The treatment plan physicians develop to help patients eliminate the underlying concerns usually depends on symptoms and desired outcome.

It would be best to work with a sleep doctor who will address all your concerns and restore seamless sleep. Contact Sleep Services of Maryland LLC if your snoring keeps your partner awake to receive the perfect treatment to restore peaceful sleep.