Have you ever walked past a relative or roommate’s room and heard snoring? Have you ever been woken up by your significant other’s snoring? Most of us snore from time to time, but there is a category of people who snore extremely loudly. Such snorers can wake a person up from a very deep sleep without being aware of it.

If a person notices that he or she is snoring extremely loudly, it may be a sign that the person is suffering from a sleep disorder called Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This sleep disorder condition always causes people to snore loudly. However, not all loud snorers suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea. It is still important for loud snorers to see a sleep specialist. Loud snoring can indicate potential physical problems with your body, cause social problems and decrease the quality of your sleep.

Difference Between Snoring and Sleep Apnea

For proper treatment, every person should know the difference between simple snoring and snoring because of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Snoring is caused when the tissues in your throat relax just enough that begin to block your air passageway. The blocking of the air passageway causes a vibration and leads to the snoring sound which some of us are much too familiar with. How loud or soft the snore is depends on the person’s body and their lifestyle.

Loud snoring which is often paired with shallow breathing or pauses in breathing can be a sign that the person is suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea. People may actually stop breathing if they suffer from this sleep disorder. It can be made worse if the person is obese, if they have a large tongue, or because of the shape of their neck.

Signs That You Should See A Doctor

If you notice that you are a loud snorer or that someone in your family is a loud snorer, you should have a sleep study conducted by your doctor. Certain signs which you should watch out for and bring up when you are at the doctor’s are:

• Shallow breathing
• Stops in breathing
• Restlessness
• Waking up in the middle of your sleep frequently
• Choking or gasping when sleeping

If, when you wake up in the morning, you feel sleepy, inattentive, unmotivated, and unable to concentrate, then those may also be signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Treatments

A person can suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea because of their anatomy and lifestyle as well. Doctors may often recommend that their patients lose weight, use nasal strips, or reduce their alcohol consumption.

CPAP is a treatment which is used by sleep apnea sufferers. A machine is connected to a mask with a tube over the mouth and nose. Air is blown through it to maintain constant air pressure in the throat to prevent it from collapsing.

See a sleep specialist at MHHC Sleep Solutions if you snore loudly, and especially if you have one or more of the previously mentioned symptoms of sleep apnea. Improve your sleep, your relationships, and your health by scheduling an appointment at MHHC Sleep Solutions today!