Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Chronic snoring can interfere with the ability to achieve quality sleep. Individuals who snore regularly sometimes wake up feeling unrested, even after a full night’s sleep. Snoring is also associated with a condition known as sleep apnea, which also leaves patients feeling unrested in the morning. The experienced providers at Southern Crescent ENT in Stockbridge, GA, treat both snoring and sleep apnea and can help improve the quality of your sleep. 

Causes of Snoring

Snoring can be caused by various factors. However, persistent snoring is typically due to the airway being obstructed so that air cannot flow freely. A common cause of the airway becoming blocked or obstructed is collapsed tissues. Muscle tissue in the throat relaxes when we are sleeping, but can collapse across the airway as we breathe in and out. The snoring sound occurs when the collapsed tissues vibrate. 

Another way the airway sometimes becomes blocked is by the tongue, which can roll back across the airway as you breathe in and out while sleeping. Large tonsils can also obstruct the airway while sleeping and contribute to snoring. Sleeping face-up in a supine position, nasal congestion, nasal polyps, and a deviated septum are all additional factors that can cause snoring. 

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Chronic snoring is a symptom of a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. The condition is associated with brief pauses in breathing often and on while sleeping due to an obstructed airway. The periodic interruptions in breathing usually leave individuals feeling tired and unrested upon waking, even after a full night’s sleep. Persistent snoring can occur on its own and is not always linked to sleep apnea. However, most individuals with the sleep disorder do also exhibit chronic, disruptive snoring. 

Treatments for Snoring

We utilize several different methods for treating snoring at our Stockbridge, GA, ENT practice. The right treatment depends on various factors, including the cause of your snoring. Our experienced ENT providers can determine the cause and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. 

A common treatment for snoring is an oral appliance, which is a custom device worn in the mouth while sleeping. The device positions the jaw correctly so the airway does not become obstructed. If snoring is due to sleep apnea, CPAP treatment might be needed. A special mask that delivers continuous air pressure is worn over the mouth and nose while sleeping to help keep the airway open. Other methods for treating snoring include a subdermal implant and correcting a deviated septum. 

If you are suffering with snoring, we can help. Schedule an appointment with one of our ENT providers to discuss treatments for snoring by calling Southern Crescent ENT in Stockbridge, GA, at (770) 474-7416. For your convenience, we also have an office in Fayetteville that can be reached at (678) 817-4390.