Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Those who have sleep apnea experience a sudden and repeated stoppage of breathing during sleep. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to a host of significant health issues, including heart problems, hypertension and stroke. The repetitive interruption of sleep each night can also result in daily fatigue, inability to concentrate, daytime sleepiness, headaches, sexual dysfunction and depression. If you snore excessively, a thorough examination by one of our expert doctors will determine your condition and the best course of treatment.

Snoring occurs when you sleep and make raspy or harsh breathing sounds. The noise is caused by the tissues in the back of your throat vibrating as a result of the air you are inhaling. Almost everyone snores now and then, and it's possible that it's related to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in some situations. Snoring is something that almost everyone does from time to time, but for some people it can become a persistent problem.

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are both caused by the closure of the airway at the back of the throat while sleeping. Snoring occurs when the airway narrows somewhat but the person is still able to breathe normally. An apneic episode occurs when the airway collapses completely or nearly completely, preventing a person from drawing enough oxygen and exhaling enough carbon dioxide.

Because of the disruption in your sleep, you may only get a few hours of sleep. This breathing pause pattern may be repeated several times throughout the night. At least five times during each hour of sleep, people with obstructive sleep apnea have periods when their breathing slows or stops.

Snoring can be caused by a variety of things, including your mouth and sinus structure, alcohol intake, allergies, a cold, and your weight.

Depending on the cause of your snoring or sleep apnea, we may have solutions to help alleviate the condition.