Overview of Snoring
Snoring is a common sleep problem that affects many people, often disrupting their own sleep and their partner’s sleep. It is caused by a partial blockage of the airway during sleep, which causes the tissues in the throat to vibrate, creating the sound of snoring. While snoring on its own may not be harmful, it can be a symptom of a more serious condition called sleep apnea, which causes a complete blockage of the airway during sleep and leads to repeated awakenings throughout the night. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. That’s why it’s important to seek medical attention if you or your partner are experiencing loud, chronic snoring or other sleep disturbances.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Snoring is often linked with a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is typically characterized by loud snoring followed by moments of silence when breathing stops or nearly stops. This can result in you waking up with a loud snort or gasping sound. Due to disrupted sleep, you may sleep lightly. This pattern of breathing pauses can happen many times during the night. People with obstructive sleep apnea usually experience periods when their breathing slows or stops at least five times every hour of sleep.
About half of people who snore loudly have sleep apnea.
Snoring tends to worsen with age and weight gain, as excess weight can put pressure on the throat and airway.
Snoring is a common problem that affects approximately 90 million American adults.
