Do the sounds of your sleeping partner’s snoring serenade you into wakefulness every night? You’re not alone. Snoring is a common condition, and while the snorer does not typically realize it, the partner often cannot help but notice. In some cases, the constant interruption and noise can strain even the best relationships. What the partner may not realize, however, is that his/her snoring bedmate may actually be in trouble. Fresno dentists Dr. Alex Denes and Dr. Claudia Denes have extensive experience helping patients to stop snoring, as well as treating patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Today, they answer common questions regarding sleep apnea and your options for treating it.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea FAQs
What is the difference between snoring and sleep apnea?
Sometimes, a snore is just a snore. Other times, however, there may be more behind the problem. When you sleep, every muscle and tissue in your body relaxes, including those in your throat and mouth. As these tissues relax, they come together, restricting your airway. Snoring is the sound of air trying to squeeze past this tightly compacted tissue. Sleep apnea, however, is marked by excessively loud snores and occurs when these tissues collapse enough to completely block the airway and stop your breathing. Your body is forced awake just enough to restart the breathing process, then falls back into a light sleep. These episodes usually last a few seconds, and can recur hundreds of times in a night.
How do I know if my snoring is sleep apnea?
Typically, sleep apnea sufferers are unaware of their condition. A sleep partner or family member is usually the first to notice the exaggerated snoring (which is followed by silence as the patient stops breathing, then a loud gasp as breathing is restarted). If you live and sleep alone, however, discovering that you have a condition may be more difficult. If you experience symptoms of sleep deprivation, including daytime exhaustion, but believe you are getting a full night’s rest, then speak with Dr. Denes about options for diagnosing sleep apnea. We work closely with our neighboring sleep center, which can conduct a sleep study to help diagnose sleep apnea.
How do I treat sleep apnea?
For many sleep apnea cases, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is often prescribed. As the name suggests, a CPAP machine provides continuous air pressure into your lungs to prevent soft throat and mouth tissues from collapsing. Our Fresno dentists offer a more comfortable solution for treating sleep apnea in the form of an oral appliance. The appliance fits in your mouth much like a mouthguard used in sports. It holds your lower jaw in a slightly forward position to keep the airway open, and patients tend to find it more comfortable than the cumbersome CPAP machine.
Start Breathing Easier Today
If you believe you or a loved one suffer from sleep apnea, or would like to learn more about snoring cessation, contact your Fresno dentists by calling Fresno Dental Studio at (559) 297-1800. Located in the 93720 area, we proudly serve patients from Fresno, Clovis, Mendota, Orange Cove, Reedley, Selma, and the surrounding areas.