Do you have a partner who snores? If so, you know how frustrating it can be to try and get a good night's sleep. Snoring is often the result of sleep apnea, which can be a severe medical condition. If your partner has been diagnosed with sleep apnea, there are treatments that can help reduce or eliminate snoring.
Sleep Apnea and Snoring
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while sleeping. These pauses can last for a few seconds to minutes and can happen up to 30 times an hour. Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed because people don't realize they're doing it. It can cause loud snoring, gasping, or choking sounds during sleep.
Dangers of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can be severe because it can lead to other health problems, such as:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
If you share a room with someone who has sleep apnea and snores, you may not get a good night's sleep, putting you at risk for these other health problems.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
The first and most crucial part of sleep apnea is diagnosis. Dr. Buck can help your partner with the initial assessment leading to diagnosis. Once the diagnosis confirms that the patient has sleep apnea, several treatment options are available. The most common sleep apnea treatments are:
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
- Oral appliances, such as the MicrO2 Sleep Device
In the event of a sleep apnea diagnosis, your partner may be treatable with a custom oral appliance for sleep. Jaw development orthodontics help improve the airway and help to improve sleep. In any event, Dr. Buck believes that sleep apnea should be treated to protect one's health and longevity of life.
Do You Snore?
Conversely, if you're one of the millions of people who suffer from sleep apnea, you know how disruptive it can be to someone you share a room with. It's essential to get a diagnosis and treatment for sleep apnea, but in the meantime, there are things you can do to make sharing a room easier with your partner.
Here are some tips for dealing with sleep apnea when sharing a room:
- Try using a white noise machine to drown out the sound of your snoring.
- Invest in some earplugs for your partner.
- Sleep on your side instead of your back to reduce snoring.
- Clear any nasal congestion before going to bed.
If you or someone you know suffers from sleep apnea, don't suffer in silence. Talk to your doctor about sleep apnea treatments that can help lessen snoring noise.
Contact Us
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) jeopardizes millions of Americans' health and well-being. When sleep apnea impedes breathing, the amount of oxygen delivered to the body diminishes, resulting in hazardous health effects. Because sleep apnea patients struggle to breathe while sleeping, their bodies do not get enough rest or sleep to replenish themselves. This harmful condition impacts a person's health, everyday functioning, work performance, relationships, and overall happiness.
Dr. David Buck specializes in dental sleep medicine. He and his team can assist you in managing sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening illness. Call us today at (425) 332-6279 to schedule an appointment.
