Sleep Apnea and Snoring: How are they Different?
If you have an issue and want to solve it, you should detect the root of the problem. As you are reading this article, then you are a snorer, or eventually someone from your circle. However, you are still unsure about the level of severity. There is that term “sleep apnea”. Many people talk about it, but there are some unexplained facts about this disorder. All you know about it is that it is dangerous for your health. It is completely fine that you want to inform more about the possible health issues. We wrote this article in order to present to you the difference between snoring and sleep apnea.
How would you define snoring?
Snoring is the unpleasant sound human produces during his sleep. This sound is a product of the airflow vibrations in your throat, mouth, or nose.
Note: Not every snorer suffers from sleep apnea. Snoring can be but doesn’t have to be, a sleep apnea symptom.
A person can snore occasionally or chronically. Occasional snorers are in a slightly better situation. They rarely suffer from sleep apnea. However, chronic snorers are under the risk.
Which factors cause snoring? We would divide them into two categories. The first group is the inborn factors. The other group has a human action as an inducer and we consciously produce them.
Inborn health factors
• Allergies, as your nose can get stuffed and clogged,
• Sinus infections
• The flu or a cold, producing the same effect as the two above mentioned factors
• Nasal bone deviation
• Poor muscle tone
• Airflow barriers in your nose or throat
• Menopause or pregnancy in females
• Hormonal imbalance
Human Actions
• Smoking cigarettes
• Drinking alcohol
• Taking sedatives
• Taking birth control
• Gaining weight
• Lack of activity
• Sleeping on your back only
As you see, there are many factors that cause snoring. That is why there are so many snorers around the world. If you are lucky enough, you won’t be diagnosed with sleep apnea. However, it doesn’t mean that you should keep on snoring.
It will affect negatively your life more and more. Even if you are not aware of the sounds you produce, your brain sure is. These sounds are too harsh for any mental system. Besides, you might have a partner. Imagine how he/she feels.
You should go for a snoring device. Google a bit, invest a bit of your time and we bet that you will find the best mouthpiece for snoring. These devices are especially helpful when we talk about snoring on the back.
Check out some other helpful tips to help stop snoring and get a good night’s sleep!
Sleep apnea
If you are already afraid that you suffer from sleep apnea, it would be the best to visit a doctor. On the other hand, if you are still unsure, we will try to help you uncover the problem.You read the paragraphs about snoring, right? Out of 10 factors, many snorers will tickle 7 or 8. Does that mean they suffer from sleep apnea? No.
Note: If the answer to these questions is “yes”, then you almost 100% faced with sleep apnea.
- Do you snore for more than two years now?
- Do you have longer breathing pauses while sleeping?
- Do you sweat while you sleep?
- Are you overweight?
- Do you drink or smoke?
There is nothing more to say at this phase. Breathing pauses are the most accurate sign of sleep apnea. They make the biggest difference between snoring and sleep apnea. The other indicator is sweating over night. However, don’t be afraid. It is true that sleep apnea causes heart failures and high pressure, but all of this can be cured. We would recommend using the snoring device even if you suffer from sleep apnea, as it will help your brain and your respiratory system a lot.
Pingback: What is Snoring and How Sleep Apnea Occurs