If you struggle with loud snoring, you’re not alone. Twenty-five percent of adults snore every time they sleep, and 45% snore occasionally, with men snoring more frequently than women.
But even though it’s common, loud snoring can also be a symptom of larger health concerns. So how do you know when loud snoring is a dangerous sign, and when it’s just annoying?
At Jacksonville ENT Surgery, an appointment with one of our providers, Charles Greene, MD, PhD, and Tara Condrey, PA-C, helps you navigate your unique situation, figure out why you’re snoring, and determine any next steps so that you — and anyone your snoring wakes up — can get some rest!
Read on for more information about how loud snoring affects you and your health.
Snoring happens when your tongue and soft palette relax in your sleep and cover your airway. When you breathe, those tissues vibrate and make the snoring sound. The more your airway is covered, the louder you’ll snore.
But figuring out why this is happening is difficult, because loud snoring has many possible causes. These include:
With so many contributing factors, it’s important you speak to an expert to determine what’s going on with your snoring. Schedule an appointment at our offices in Jacksonville or Lake City, Florida, for an exam.
Not all snoring is cause for concern. But if you snore particularly loudly, or often, it may have a more worrying cause.
A visit to Jacksonville ENT Surgery helps you get to the root of the problem. Our ENT specialists are trained to find out if any underlying medical conditions are contributing to your loud snoring.
One of those conditions is sleep apnea. This common sleep disorder can cause loud, constant snoring.
If you have sleep apnea, it’s important to receive expert treatment, as it can cause further health problems throughout your life. Here’s a closer look:
Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing periodically while you sleep. It happens when the muscles in your throat become too relaxed and completely cover your airway.
In addition to snoring, symptoms of sleep apnea include mood swings, trouble concentrating, a headache or sore throat in the morning, and sleepiness during the day.
Sleep apnea most often appears in two forms:
You could also be one of the smaller number of people with combined-type sleep apnea, where you experience symptoms of both types. ENT specialists help you determine if you have sleep apnea, which kind you have, and what’s the best treatment.
Even though sleep apnea is common, if you’re experiencing any symptoms it’s important to get in touch with one of our specialists at Jacksonville ENT Surgery. Studies show untreated sleep apnea can contribute to heart disease, stroke, and other health conditions over time.
Our providers at Jacksonville ENT make a personalized assessment to determine the cause of your loud snoring and the best treatment for you.
Those treatments include medication, including antibiotics, steroid sprays, decongestants, and immunotherapy. Where appropriate, your doctor may also recommend weight loss. Some causes of loud snoring require more invasive treatments to fix, including the surgical removal of polyps or a deviated septum repair.
At Jacksonville ENT Surgery, we also offer nonsurgical VivAer® treatment. This therapy is useful if you have problems with your nasal valve or enlarged nasal tissues.
If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, our experts will go over a range of treatments that make the most sense for you, including a CPAP machine or possible surgery.
Ready to figure out why you snore so loudly, and give your partner the gift of a good night's sleep? Call or go online at Jacksonville ENT Surgery to set up an appointment at our offices in Jacksonville or Lake City, Florida.
