Does Snoring Wake You Up More Than Your Alarm?
Visit Our Sleep Center in Tucson, AZ, Today.

Sometimes, snoring can just be a minor inconvenience. However, snoring can also be a symptom of a larger medical issue of airway obstruction, especially if the sound and act of snoring keeps you awake or disrupts the sleep quality of the people living under the same roof.

At Sleep Perfection, our team will evaluate and provide treatment recommendations to help alleviate snoring. Snoring can do more than impact a good night’s sleep. It can be a symptom of more serious health issues. Read below to learn more about the signs, symptoms and complications of snoring.

The Truth Behind Snoring

Breathing involves letting air through your mouth, nose, and throat. If your airway is restricted, the tissues (soft palate, adenoids, tonsils, and tongue) will vibrate against each other as a result of forcing air through. This vibration creates a rattling, rumbling noise, otherwise known as snoring.

Causes

Since people snore for multiple reasons, our treatments start by identifying the underlying cause of your snoring. Knowing the cause allows you to find the proper treatment solutions, enabling a more peaceful sleep for you and anyone sharing the same room with you.

These are the most common causes of snoring:

  • Your mouth’s anatomy: A low, thick soft palate means having a narrow airway. Those who are overweight may have extra tissues in the back of their throats. These extra tissues will also narrow the airway. Lastly, having an elongated uvula can obstruct airflow and increase vibration.
  • Age: As you age, your throat becomes narrower, and your throat’s muscle tone gradually decreases. Adjusting your lifestyle, bedtime routine, and performing throat exercises will prevent snoring, regardless of age.
  • Weight: Obesity is a major risk factor for snoring and other sleep-related breathing issues.
  • Sleep posture: Sleeping on your back relaxes the flesh of your throat, blocking your airway. Changing to other sleeping positions could stop your snoring.
  • Nasal and sinus problems: A stuffy nose creates a vacuum in your throat and makes inhalation harder, both of which can lead to snoring.
  • Alcohol and sedatives: Medications and alcoholic drinks relax your muscles, obstructing airflow in your nose, mouth, and throat.

Symptoms

Snoring can indicate Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) (link to sleep apnea service page), but not all snorers have this sleeping condition. However, if these symptoms are present, set an appointment with Sleep Perfection today:

  • Extreme snoring that disrupts other people’s sleep
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Morning headaches
  • Breathing pauses while sleeping
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Sore throat upon waking up
  • Restless sleep
  • Choking or gasping in the middle of the night.
  • Chest pain at night
  • High blood pressure
  • Low attention span, behavioral issues, poor performance in school (for children)

Complications

If you or anyone you know exhibits the symptoms above, it’s highly advisable to visit a sleep expert like Dr. Pandhi. OSA is a severe sleeping disorder, but addressing it early, you can mitigate its negative consequences. Untreated OSA, on the other hand, can lead to the following complications:

  • Low-quality sleep: Failure to have a proper sleep every night will interfere with your quality of life. It can even make you more susceptible to car accidents, as you won’t have great control of your motor skills.
  • Light sleeping: Snoring will prevent you from reaching a deeper, restorative sleep.
  • Strain on your heart: Long-term OSA raises your blood pressure and largens your heart, increasing your risk of stroke and heart attack.

How Sleep Perfection Evaluates and Treats Snoring

Regardless of who’s suffering from snoring problems in your household, Sleep Perfection’s very own Dr. Pandhi will first ask about your medical history. Then, we’ll conduct a physical exam to check for signs of airway obstruction, such as rhinitis, deviated septum, or swollen tonsils. To fully assess the severity of snoring, Dr. Pandhi performs the following evaluations and the appropriate treatment.

Evaluation

We use these methods to evaluate the cause of your snoring:

  • Imaging tests: With the help of an X-ray, MRI scan, or CT scan, Dr. Pandhi can detect possible problems in your airways.
  • Sleep study: You can complete our sleep study at home or spend the night in the lab. Dr. Pandhi’s devices will measure your brain activity, heart rate, and breathing while you sleep, allowing him to identify if a sleeping disorder causes your snoring.

Treatment

If the evaluation points to a sleeping disorder, particularly OSA, here are the treatment options available at Sleep Perfection.

Oral Appliances

Oral appliances reposition the lower jaw forward to prevent airway restriction. As a leading expert in dentistry, Dr. Pandhi is qualified to custom-make an oral appliance for you or someone you care for. Here are the types of oral devices at Sleep Perfection:

  • Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD)
  • The Full-Breath Solution™
  • The Vivos System

Solea Sleep

Solea Sleep introduces a groundbreaking approach to dental sleep medicine, offering a revolutionary laser treatment for snoring. In just five comfortable and non-invasive minutes, Solea Sleep utilizes a specific wavelength to gently tighten the collagen fibers in the soft palate tissue, effectively opening the airway and reducing the vibrations that lead to snoring. With no post-treatment discomfort or downtime, Solea Sleep provides rapid relief to palatal snorers, making snoring treatment easier and more convenient than ever before.

Solea Sleep offers a multitude of benefits for individuals seeking relief from snoring and related sleep issues:

  • A substantial reduction or complete elimination of snoring, allowing for a quieter and more peaceful sleep environment.
  • Improved sleep quality and deeper sleep, leading to increased restfulness and rejuvenation.
  • Elimination of morning sore throats and headaches caused by snoring, promoting a more comfortable waking experience.
  • Enhanced daytime energy levels and improved mood, resulting in increased productivity and overall well-being.
  • Improved concentration, memory, and learning abilities due to the restoration of restful sleep patterns.
  • Reduced effects of sleep apnea, potential comorbidity of snoring, leading to better overall respiratory health.
  • Prevention of sleep disruptions for the partner, fostering a more harmonious and undisturbed sleep environment for both individuals.

By offering these benefits, Solea Sleep transforms the sleep experience and contributes to overall better health and well-being.

Lifestyle Changes

In addition to using the oral device Dr. Pandhi recommended, snoring can also be eliminated by adopting these lifestyle changes:

  • Limiting or quitting alcohol and sedatives* (If sedatives are prescribed by a physician please consult prior to making any changes.)
  • Raising the head of your bed
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Adjusting your sleeping position
  • Reducing nasal congestion

We Can Help You Get a Quiet, Peaceful Sleep.

Snoring can be a symptom of a more serious disorder. Whether for you, your partner, or your child, Dr. Pandhi and our team at Sleep Perfection will work with you to evaluate and treat snoring problems and other sleep-related issues. Contact us to learn more.