How Serious is Your Snoring?

In the cartoons we watched as children, snoring could literally cause the blankets to roll up and down, drive beds through walls, and lead to sleepless nights and convoluted revenge plans for many a frustrated sleeping partner.

In reality, the effects of snoring could be just as dramatic. Beyond annoying your partner, snoring can lead to poor sleep quality and be a sign of more serious sleep apnea. The National Sleep Foundation estimates that nowadays, nearly 90 million Americans suffer from snoring. Half of those are more than likely suffering from some form of sleep apnea. Fortunately, while obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) almost always causes loud snoring, snoring itself doesn’t guarantee that you have OSA.

To differentiate between your standard snoring issues, and the more serious indication of OSA, take a look at some of the circumstances surrounding your snoring.

Sleep apnea obstructs your ability to breathe, causing you to wake up in order to start breathing again. Regular snoring, while keeping your non-snoring partner awake, won’t typically wake you up. If you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night, gasping for air, or are always lethargic throughout your day, it could be that you have OSA.

Those with sleep apnea also tend to snore more regularly and loudly. You may even momentarily stop breathing entirely during sleep. If your partner notices any of these signs during your sleep, it is definitely time to consult with our sleep center about the likelihood of sleep apnea.

If you’re not convinced that it’s worth the trouble of scheduling an appointment, it’s important to understand that sleep apnea is a serious, sometimes deadly condition. If you suffer from OSA, your risk for diabetes, heart issues, depression and other serious conditions increases significantly.

Take the first step towards better, more restful sleep and schedule an appointment with Sleep Better Illinois today.