Snoring can be a bothersome noise, but snoring can also be a sign of other health issues, some of which can be serious. How do you know which one it is?
If you experience restless sleep, wake up not feeling refreshed, have a family member who notices you stop breathing in your sleep, wake up trying to catch your breath or consistently wake up with morning headaches, it's advisable to schedule a consultation with a sleep doctor.
Sleep Study
Doctors may recommend a sleep study to understand the health issues that may be causing snoring and feelings of not being refreshed upon waking up. The sleep study can be conducted at home or in a sleep lab. During the study, oxygen levels and pauses in breathing during sleep will be measured, along with the frequency and depth of the oxygen drops. Based on the analysis of the sleep study data, a team of physicians will develop a treatment plan.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
One condition that might be causing sleep issues is obstructive sleep apnea. This condition is characterized by intermittent airflow blockages during sleep, leading to pauses in breathing. This can cause your heart and cardiovascular system to work harder than they should, which can lead to an increased risk of other issues.
How Many People Snore?
About 40% of people snore, and of those, 5-10% have obstructive sleep apnea. However, sleep apnea is widely underdiagnosed, with 90% of sufferers never having been tested or diagnosed.
Treatment Plans
After a sleep study, physicians will evaluate the information to get an overall view of the patient’s health. The first step in treatment may be a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This machine delivers air at a certain pressure through a mask that covers the nose and mouth to relax the throat and keep it from closing.
If someone is not comfortable with a CPAP machine or is not seeing the desired results, alternative options are available.
Alternative Options for Mild to Moderate Obstruction
When a patient has mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea or snoring without sleep apnea, some solution options to consider are:
- Throat surgery
- Nasal surgery
- Mouthguard or oral appliance
- Weight loss
All of these options can produce positive outcomes and in certain patients, weight loss can cure snoring.
Inspire – An Alternative Sleep Apnea Treatment
One of the latest sleep apnea treatments is Inspire, a device that is surgically implanted near the collarbone during an outpatient procedure and stimulates the upper airway muscles to prevent the throat from closing. In 2014, I was the first surgeon in Illinois to perform the Inspire procedure after it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
To use the Inspire device, an individual turns it on at night using a remote control and turns it off in the morning. Inspire is well tolerated by most patients, with a success rate of 80% and a satisfaction rate of 93%. It eliminates snoring in 85% of individuals with minimal risks and complications.
If you snore and feel tired, it's a good idea to get a referral to a sleep doctor to address the issue. Finding a solution to snoring can improve sleep quality, overall health and quality of life.
Endeavor Health uses a multidisciplinary approach to address snoring problems with physicians who specialize in sleep medicine collaborating to implement and review care for better outcomes. If you experience snoring, it's important to get checked to rule out any underlying health issues and begin a treatment plan. Visit us online or call (847) 504-3300.
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