Is Snoring a Sleep Disorder or Symptom?

 

Snoring is often lightheartedly joked about in social situations. Many people will find humor in having a college roommate or neighbor that they can hear snoring from across the hall. However, it can be a serious medical issue that should be addressed. Some people do not understand what snoring can mean. It’s more than a punchline at a party and can be a symptom of a sleep disorder or an actual sleep disorder.

Who Snores?

Snoring is more common among men, but it can occur in women as well. It can impact large amounts of people throughout the course of their lifetime. It affects 37 million people on an annual basis. Often, the habit of snoring runs in families. However, it doesn’t mean it’s something that they need to learn how to live with.

What is snoring?

Snoring itself is a loud sound that happens while an individual is sleeping. It’s how the air flows and reverberates through the back of the throat. When the air passes by, it causes the throat to vibrate.

What are the causes?

Age

Most everyone snores at some point or another, whether it’s a cold or a more chronic disorder. However, many who are aging are more likely to snore as the throat muscles become weaker. The throat narrows similar to how an individual ages, which can lead to airway restriction and snoring.

Alcohol

Many are mistakenly under the impression that alcohol makes you sleep better. However, this is not true as it interferes with getting quality rest. It is a stimulant but relaxes the muscles in the throat to cause snoring.

Obesity

It really is all about the back of the throat. An obese person has more fat in general and this means that they also have more fatty tissue around their throat and neck. Any time the airway is constricted, it will increase a person’s likelihood of snoring.

Sleep Position

If you’ve ever watched someone fall asleep on the couch, you may have heard them snore as their head falls backward or to the side while they are sitting up. Sleeping positions can have a significant impact on whether a person will snore or not.

Symptoms

You may not always know if you are a snorer and your partner may be too heavy of a sleeper to notice if you snore. These are some other ways you may know that you snore without hearing it for yourself.

  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Weight gain
  • Abrupt awakening
  • Morning headaches
  • Poor memory

How do you know if it’s a more serious sleep condition?

Snoring is a sleep disorder. It will impede your ability to get the amount of sleep your body requires to function at maximum productivity. Snoring alone isn’t necessarily a serious condition, but it can lead to more serious sleep disorders while at the same time be a symptom of them.

If an individual is finding themselves repeatedly1 unrested, daytime fatigue, depression and a feeling of choking while sleeping, they may have a serious sleep condition called obstructive sleep apnea. This can have serious life-threatening consequences if not addressed. One of the symptoms of OSA is snoring. While snoring doesn’t mean you have OSA, it can potentially indicate that you have sleep apnea in that sleep apnea occurs when the airway is compromised, manifesting as snoring.

Diagnosis

If you snore, you may want to talk to your doctor about having a sleep test conducted to find out if you snore and why. This is done with a Polysomnography Test. It records snoring and how it impacts sleep.

Treatment

Depending on the results of the study, the sleep specialists will conclude your sleep test and report the findings to your doctor. Your doctor will then work with you on treatment options depending on your diagnosis.

Some of these treatments include:

  • Surgery: This is an extreme solution, but if the shape of your throat or mouth is causing you to snore, surgery will make a slight adjustment for you to sleep better.
  • Assistive Devices: Oral appliances that are like a retainer can be worn at night to eliminate or alleviate snoring. It helps to open the airway. Some even have a minty flavor!
  • Lifestyle Changes: Making healthy lifestyle changes may help you to reduce snoring. This means reducing alcohol intake, having a well-balanced diet and a consistent exercise regimen.

If they find you have a sleep disorder like OSA, they will prescribe different treatment options like a CPAP machine. Either way, it’s essential that you participate in a sleep study in order to find out the cause of your restless night and excessive daytime tiredness.

Snoring can get on all of our nerves but it is not something to take lightly. If you or someone you know has had trouble with snoring and wants help, contact us today!

  1. Snoring: An Annoyance or a Serious Health Problem (Obstructive Sleep Apnea)? Indian J Community Med. 2015 Apr-Jun; 40(2): 143–144.

Comments

  1. Petergay wilson Reply

    I Have a terrible sleeping disorder it’s runing my life.

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      Sleeping is a cornerstone of our well-being, a vital function that restores our bodies and minds. It’s not merely a state of unconsciousness; it’s a complex process where our brains and bodies undergo essential repairs, consolidation of memories, and hormonal regulation.

  2. quine jackson Reply

    plz tell me what is it that I can do I find myself snoring now

    • Deborah Nyeche Reply

      If you want to know if you snore, download the free app SnoreLab. You place your phone face down, plugged in, and it records sounds. You may not snore every night, so try it out for a week.

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  6. Not all snorers have OSA, but if snoring is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it may be an indication to see a doctor for further evaluation for OSA: Witnessed breathing pauses during sleep.

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  24. Personal Trainer Reply

    Thanks for sharing this article on Is Snoring a Sleep Disorder or Symptom?

    Here is my opinion. Snoring can be both a symptom and, in some cases, a sleep disorder. Let me explain:

    Symptom of Sleep Disordered Breathing: Snoring is often a symptom of sleep-disordered breathing, which includes conditions like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In OSA, snoring occurs when the airflow is partially blocked due to relaxation of throat muscles and tissues. Snoring can be a sign of an underlying sleep disorder because it disrupts the normal sleep cycle, leading to fragmented sleep and poor sleep quality.

    Primary Snoring: On the other hand, some people snore without having an underlying sleep disorder. This is known as primary snoring. In such cases, snoring is more of a nuisance and not typically associated with the serious health consequences often linked to sleep apnea.

    Personal training can help with snoring and here’s now.

    1. Weight Management: One of the primary risk factors for snoring and sleep apnea is excess body weight. Personal training can help individuals lose weight and maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI), which can reduce or eliminate snoring in cases where obesity is a contributing factor.

    2. Strengthening Throat and Neck Muscles: Some individuals snore due to weak throat and neck muscles that cause the airway to collapse during sleep. Personal training can include exercises to strengthen these muscles, potentially reducing snoring.

    3. Lifestyle Changes: Personal trainers can help clients adopt a healthier lifestyle by encouraging them to quit smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, and maintain regular sleep schedules, all of which can contribute to snoring.

    4. Posture and Sleep Position: Personal trainers can provide guidance on proper sleep posture and positions that may help reduce snoring. For example, sleeping on your side instead of your back can sometimes alleviate snoring.

    5. Stress Reduction: High stress levels can lead to poor sleep and increased snoring. Personal trainers can incorporate relaxation techniques, such as yoga or mindfulness exercises, to help clients manage stress and improve sleep quality.

    It’s important to note that while personal training can be beneficial for some individuals in reducing snoring, it may not be a one-size-fits-all solution. If snoring is severe, persistent, or associated with other symptoms of a sleep disorder, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional, such as a sleep specialist, who can provide a proper diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatments, which may include lifestyle changes, medical devices, or even surgery in severe cases.

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    Can you tell me if it is common in kids as well?

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