If you have a snoring issue, you may have gotten complaints from your partner. If your snoring is disturbing others, you may worry enough to seek treatment.
Snoring is a common problem and sometimes only a nuisance. Yet, it could point to serious health problems. Decreased blood oxygen and daytime fatigue could result from long-term snoring.
The Mayo Clinic reports that snoring caused by sleep apnea could lead to severe health problems. These include Type 2 diabetes, heart issues, and high blood pressure. A doctor or dentist should check anyone who snores heavily.
Causes of Snoring
Snoring has many causes, some anatomical and some related to your behavior. Here are the most common causes of this problem:
Anatomy
People with enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or a large tongue may be more prone to snoring. Also, having a long soft palate hinders airflow.
Allergies or Colds
When people experience congestion, their airways become narrower due to increased mucus. Narrowed airways cause snoring as the body tries to make up for the lost oxygen.
Alcohol or Sedative Use
Alcohol and some sedating medications restrict airflow. They relax muscles in the throat, mouth, and nose. Avoiding sedatives, alcohol, and heavy meals within two hours of bed can help cut back on snoring.
Weight
People who are overweight may snore. These people have extra tissues at the back of their throats that cut airflow. Even losing 10 pounds can help to cut back on snoring. Talk to your primary care doctor about ways you can lose weight.
Family History
If your parent or other close relative snores, you are at greater risk for this problem.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a significant cause of snoring. According to the National Institutes of Health, this condition makes a person stop breathing at night. As you repeatedly stop and start breathing, you will snore. Sleep apnea causes severe snoring and significantly reduces sleep quality.
Obstructive sleep apnea happens when tissues block the airway. Central sleep apnea happens when brain signals that tell you when to breathe are missing.
How Can Oral Surgeons Help People Who Snore?
Fortunately, oral surgeons can help patients whose snoring has become a problem. These qualified surgeons can use appliances or surgery to help patients reduce snoring.
Oral Appliance Therapy
This snoring solution involves making a custom appliance to wear at night. The appliance adjusts the position of your jaw as you sleep, opening your airway and reducing snoring. Many people find that they do not need further treatment for snoring when they use these devices.
Surgical Treatments
Sometimes the oral appliance is not enough to stop snoring. In this case, the oral surgeon can operate to fix the placement of the jaws in a procedure called telognathic surgery.
Choosing the Right Oral Surgeon
You can trust your oral surgeon to help you with your snoring problem and reduce your risk factors for severe disease. Contact Upper West Side Oral Surgery at 212-466-6984 to schedule a consultation today.