Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Snoring can be a nightmare! A threat to your health! And a hitch to a happy life!

Snoring seems to be a common thing among many people, but not when it is associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Is it just snoring or sleep apnea?

Snoring could indicate sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening condition that requires medical attention.

Sleep apnea is a breathing obstruction, causing the sleeper to keep waking up to begin breathing again.

Normal snoring doesn’t interfere with the quality of your sleep as much as sleep apnea, so if you’re suffering from extreme fatigue and sleepiness during the day, your problem may be more than just snoring.

Am I at Risk for Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, even children. Risk factors for sleep apnea include:

• Male gender
• Being overweight
• Being over the age of forty
• Having a large neck size (17 inches or greater in men and 16 inches or greater in women)
• Having large tonsils, a large tongue, or a small jaw bone
• Having a family history of sleep apnea
• Gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD
• Nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum, allergies, or sinus problems

What Are the Effects of Sleep Apnea?

If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a growing number of health problems including:

• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Heart failure, irregular heart beats, and heart attacks
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Worsening of ADHD
• Poor performance in everyday activities at work, school or travel.

Sleep apnea signs and symptoms

• Loud and chronic snoring
• Choking, snorting, or gasping during sleep
• Long pauses in breathing
• Daytime sleepiness, no matter how much time you spend in bed
• Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
• Morning headaches
• Restless or fitful sleep
• Insomnia or nighttime awakenings
• Going to the bathroom frequently during the night
• Waking up feeling out of breath
• Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating
• Moodiness, irritability, or depression

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Dr. Ornouma uses the Pillar Procedure to treat most of her patients.

The Pillar Procedure is a simple, safe and effective treatment that is designed to help you stop snoring and, in many cases, help people suffering from mild OSA. It’s a relatively painless procedure that can be performed in a doctor’s office in about 10 minutes, using only local anesthetic and no need to be admitted at the hospital.

Click to learn more about the Pillar Procedure.

Click to learn about an alternative treatment – Somnoplasty or Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP).