Here are some common patient questions about snoring and sleep apnea posed to Buffalo Dentist Dr. Larry Evola at Forestream Dental.
What causes snoring?
Snoring is caused by an obstruction to your air passage. When you sleep, the soft tissue and muscles in your throat may relax, narrowing your airway. If this airway gets blocked enough, your soft palate and uvula will vibrate while you breathe, creating the sound you hear during snoring.
How common is snoring?
Approximately 45% of people snore regularly. Snoring affects about 30% of men and women over age 30, 40% of people middle-aged and older, and 6% of children.
Is snoring dangerous?
According to the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), snorers get into three times as many auto accidents as non-snorers. Some people snore at decibel levels that rival jet engines, causing those sleeping nearby to suffer from sleep deprivation as well. Most importantly, snoring is generally an indication that you have sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder that can cause health problems such as high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke when not treated.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition marked by pauses in breathing during sleep. It is caused by an obstruction to your airway while sleeping. It reduces the oxygen levels in your blood. To begin breathing again, your brain will bring you out of sleep. These pauses in your sleep can occur hundreds of times a night.
What are the treatments for snoring?
For some people, snoring can be treated by adjusting your lifestyle. Losing weight, reducing alcohol consumption, and changing sleeping positions may solve your snoring problems. If general lifestyle changes don’t help, oral appliances and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can help alleviate symptoms. These appliances are designed to help keep your airway from closing up during sleep.
Where do I go to treat my snoring problems?
Dr. Evola’s experienced staff at Forestream Dental can help you alleviate symptoms associated with sleep apnea and snoring. Dr. Evola will conduct a thorough examination and then discuss the various treatment options with you in order to determine which one will best fit your needs.
If you suffer from snoring, it is important to be examined by an experienced sleep apnea specialist. If your snoring and sleep apnea goes untreated, you may be endangering your health. Please contact our Buffalo dentist at Forestream Dental today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Evola. We serve patients in the Lancaster, Orchard Park, Amherst, and Buffalo, New York areas.
