Snoring is a common condition that affects millions of people, and while it’s often dismissed as harmless, it can disrupt your sleep and signal more serious health issues, such as sleep apnea. At the San Ramon Snoring Treatment and Sleep Apnea Center, we specialize in diagnosing the root cause of snoring and offering personalized treatment solutions to help you breathe easier and sleep better.
What Causes Snoring?
Snoring occurs when the uvula and soft palate vibrate during sleep. The soft tissues relax, and then air flowing through them causes them to vibrate. Therefore, you snore.
Specific causes of snoring include:
- Age, genetics, and medical conditions
- Nasal congestion
- Alcohol and some medications
- Sleep position
- Excess weight
- Physical characteristics like adenoids or a deviated septum
Snoring is associated with obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, and occurs in most people at some point in their lives. Fortunately, snoring is usually easy to cure with a few lifestyle changes.
Medical Equipment
Depending on the reason you snore, your doctor can prescribe a CPAP machine or a mouthguard. Occasionally, your physician may recommend surgery, but this is usually a last resort at the San Ramon Snoring Treatment Center.
Other medical treatments can include anti-snoring sprays, nasal dilators, or white noise machines. Although a white noise machine doesn’t stop the snoring, it can mask the sound.
Do I Snore?
If you sleep alone, you might not realize that you snore. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you may be snoring without knowing it:
- Restless sleep
- Morning headaches
- Daytime fatigue
- Irritability
- Breathing difficulty
- Morning sore throat or dry mouth
You may need a sleep study, or polysomnography, to determine the extent and amount of your snoring, but your physician will recommend the best snoring treatment for your unique needs.
Which Lifestyle Changes Can Help?
The most common lifestyle changes include:
- Alcohol reduction or avoidance: Sometimes, avoiding that extra glass of wine before bedtime or eliminating it can make a big difference.
- Losing weight: A few extra pounds can make a big difference, depending on where you carry them. Reducing neck fat can help reduce snoring.
- Nasal congestion: If you have allergies or a sinus infection, it can restrict your airflow. Ask your medical professional about treating them.
- Sleep positions: Sleeping on your side or keeping your head slightly elevated can help open your airways and improve breathing during the night.
Can I Ignore Snoring?
Of course, you can ignore snoring, particularly if you live alone, but you won’t have the best quality of life. Snoring adversely affects your quality of life and can make you irritable, tired, and restless, and you can have perpetual headaches.
Sometimes, simple lifestyle changes can dramatically impact your snoring, such as changing your sleep position or buying a new pillow. However, your doctor will advise you on the most straightforward method first after determining the cause and type of your snoring.
Looking for a San Ramon Snoring Treatment?
If you live in northern California, the San Ramon Sleep Apnea Treatment Center should be your first call to schedule an appointment or treatment. We’re among the best in the area, and we’d love to help you sleep better, so contact us today!