Are you a light sleeper? Do you find yourself constantly waking up during the night? If so, you may be one of the millions of Americans who suffer from snoring. Snoring can make it challenging to get a good night's sleep and can also signify a more serious health problem, such as sleep apnea. If you're concerned that you may be snoring, there are a few ways to find out.
Why Do People Snore?
There are several reasons why people may snore. For some, it may simply be due to the anatomy of their mouth or throat. Others may snore as a result of drinking alcohol or taking certain medications. And for some people, snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, a severe sleep disorder that can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
Treating Snoring
There are many ways to treat snoring, depending on the underlying cause. For some people, simply making lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or avoiding alcohol before bedtime, can help reduce or eliminate snoring. However, if you're snoring because of sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend using a CPAP machine at night or oral appliance therapy.
Symptoms of Snoring
If you're wondering whether or not you're snoring, there are a few telltale signs, such as suddenly waking up a lot at night. You can also look for other symptoms, such as:
- Waking up feeling tired or unrested
- Headaches in the morning
- Irritability or moodiness during the day
- Difficulty concentrating
- Frequent trips to the bathroom at night
You can also try recording yourself sleeping to see if you can hear any snoring. However, if you're experiencing two or more of the above symptoms, it's worth talking to a medical professional. In some cases, it may be beneficial to do a sleep study.
Sleep Study
Polysomnography (PSG), also called a sleep study, is a comprehensive test used to diagnose sleep disorders. Dr. Buck may recommend a sleep physician administer a take-home sleep study to screen and make an initial evaluation of sleep-disordered breathing. Depending on the results, the sleep physician may advise the need for an overnight in-lab study or may qualify the patient for oral appliance therapy. We can provide a highly accurate medical-grade take-home sleep study that a board-certified sleep physician interprets, and we can review these findings with you to determine the best course of action.
Alternatively, if no PSG has been completed, Dr. Buck will require referral to a sleep center to complete a PSG or ambulatory take home sleep study, and physician interpretation before oral appliance therapy begins. It is critical to carefully and thoroughly manage this deadly disease with a team approach.
Stop Snoring
Do you snore? With oral appliance therapy, you can finally stop snoring and get a good night's sleep.
For more information on treating sleep apnea snoring, contact Balance Epigenetic Orthodontics today. Please visit our website or call us at (425) 332-6279. We would be happy to answer any of your questions.
