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Partner can’t sleep because you snore? Is it finally time to do away with it? At Harris Dental in Phoenix, we can help.
Snoring sounds can occur when the tissue in the back of the throat collapses onto the soft palate. This constricts the air flow. As you breathe, this area opens and closes—with a noisy result.
Your snoring may be a symptom of a condition called sleep apnea. With Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), the air passageway not only narrows, you actually stop breathing. These pauses can last for up to a minute and occur repeatedly dozens or even hundreds of time per night.
Many people with sleep apnea snore, but not all snorers have sleep apnea. Regular snoring does not generally wake you up during the night.
Is My Snoring a Symptom of Sleep Apnea?
- Do you wake up numerous times during the night gasping?
- Are you excessively tired during the day?
- Do you wake up with a headache?
- Are you so sleepy during the day that you doze off?
- Are your mouth and throat noticeably dry when you wake up?
Snoring is more than a pesky annoyance. It has significant health consequences. And sleep apnea is even more dangerous because it completely cuts off the oxygen flow.
There are three types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea: This is the most prevalent type. It is caused by throat muscles relaxing and blocking the airway.
- Central Sleep Apnea: The cause of the breathing cessation originates in the central nervous system. The brain fails to control the breathing muscles.
- Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome (Treatment-emergent Central Sleep Apnea): This condition is present when a person has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
Can My Dentist Help Me Stop Snoring?
If you or a loved one snores, call us at Harris Dental in Phoenix. We treat sleep disorders. We’ve also got a full range of general dentistry services. Schedule an appointment today!
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