Snoring is no laughing matter when it keeps others awake
Wall-shaking snores heard from other rooms make for great jokes, but also may indicate a more serious health condition such as sleep apnea, which can be associated with high blood pressure, cardiac abnormalities or stroke, according to ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist Jennifer Bock-Hughes, M.D.
Snoring affects about half of men and 25 percent of women age 50 or older and snoring usually gets worse with age. “Many couples can’t sleep in the same room because of it,” Dr. Bock-Hughes said.
Snoring is a symptom of a larger problem. “If someone snores a lot, they should see an ENT specialist,” the otolaryngologist said. “Snoring could be due to obesity, a deviated nasal septum, a floppy soft palate, large tonsils or cranio-facial abnormalities.”
Doctors are most concerned about sleep apnea, a potentially serious disorder in which breathing stops and starts during sleep. “After an evaluation by an ENT specialist, a sleep study may be in order,” she said.
A sleep study is a comprehensive overnight sleep-cycle evaluation, which monitors sleep patterns, severity of snoring, apnea frequency, blood-oxygen saturation, heart rhythms and brain wave patterns (EEG).
Sleep disorder treatment depends on the severity of sleep apnea diagnosis, the doctor said. Often the solution is a combination of treatments ranging from weight loss and dental devices to surgery that corrects upper airway problems that trigger sleep apnea.
To prevent or quiet snoring, Dr. Bock-Hughes suggests trying these steps:
When lifestyle changes don’t eliminate snoring, doctors may suggest traditional surgery, laser surgery, radiofrequency tissue volume reduction, dental devices and nasal strips, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
“CPAP involves wearing a pressurized mask attached to a small pump that forces air through your airway while you sleep,” she said. “It eliminates snoring and prevents sleep apnea.”
“Snoring is more common in men, and obesity is the most common cause of snoring,” Dr. Bock-Hughes said. “In many cases, a weight loss of 10 percent can help stop snoring.
“If conservative, noninvasive approaches don’t work, see your doctor.”
Dr. Bock-Hughes will discuss “Is Snoring Keeping You Awake” at the Wellness Center, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 31. Admission is $12/$8 age 62+. Call 696 5600 to register.
