If your partner’s complaints about your snoring are keeping you up, you’re not alone. Snoring is incredibly common, but it's important to understand a crucial distinction: not all snoring indicates a serious health issue, but much of it does. At The Sleep Center of Colorado in Highlands Ranch, we help you differentiate between simple, or primary, snoring and the sign of a serious condition known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Recognizing the difference is the vital first step toward effective sleep apnea treatments. Learn more below, and call today.
Is Snoring Always Sleep Apnea? Differentiating Primary Snoring from an Underlying Disorder
Primary Snoring: Sound Without Collapse
Primary snoring occurs when the airway is narrowed, causing vibrations in the soft palate and throat tissue, creating that distinctive noise. This type of snoring is often positional (occurring only when sleeping on your back) and does not involve frequent, measurable pauses in breathing or significant drops in blood oxygen levels. While it can disrupt your sleep partner, it does not typically lead to severe daytime fatigue, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular risks associated with OSA.
The Key Indicator: Pauses in Breathing
The defining characteristic of OSA is not the noise itself, but the repeated episodes where breathing completely stops or is severely reduced for ten seconds or more. This is often followed by a choking or gasping sound as you briefly awaken to restart breathing. If your partner has witnessed you holding your breath, or if you wake up with morning headaches and severe, unrefreshing sleep, you may need a diagnostic sleep study.
Effective, Convenient Treatment Options
If you are diagnosed with OSA, effective sleep apnea treatments are available. While CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) remains a gold standard, we offer comfortable CPAP alternative options. For many patients, a custom-fitted oral appliance for sleep apnea provides excellent results. This oral appliance therapy works by gently moving the jaw forward, keeping the airway open without the need for a mask or hose.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
Don't ignore loud or disruptive snoring. While it could be primary, the potential risks of untreated sleep apnea are too great. Contact The Sleep Center of Colorado in Highlands Ranch to determine the cause of your snoring and explore personalized sleep apnea treatments that can restore your health and quiet your nights.