Snoring is a common sleep disorder among people of all ages and of both genders. When one snores, they create a noisy snorting, grunting or breathing sound during sleep. Snoring can cause disruptions in your own sleep or in your bed-partner’s sleep. These disruptions can lead to irritability, muddled thinking, illness, poor performance at work and drowsy driving. Studies have also shown the effects of snoring to cause high blood pressure, a known risk factor for stroke, heart disease, kidney disease and dementia. Snoring can also deprive the brain from needed oxygen, which can damage carotid arteries and restrict blood flow to the brain. If your bed-partner is constantly being awakened due to your snoring, it can also create a strain on your relationship.
Treatment for snoring can vary depending on each patient’s unique situation. Common treatments to snoring include:
- • Avoid sleeping on the back
- • Raising the head of the bed by 4 inches
- • Avoid drinking alcohol or eating a heavy meal within 3 hours of bedtime
- • Avoid relaxation medications
- • Stop smoking
- • Lose weight and exercise more
- • Ask your dentist about surgery or an oral appliance.
If you are experiencing extreme snoring, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. Please contact our office so we can discuss your treatment options.