Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Snoring and sleep apnea: A larger problem

One of the issues that complicates doctors' perspectives on chronic snoring is that this condition is often associated with (or caused by) obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, loud snoring and OSA are both caused by narrowing of the airways during sleep. A sleeper with OSA stops breathing for seconds at a time at least five times per hour, which places stress on the heart and increases the risk of stroke and other illnesses.

This is one of the main reasons doctors disapprove of over-the-counter snoring remedies: If your snoring problem is disruptive enough to make you search for a cure, you may actually have a mild, moderate or even severe case of OSA, which requires diagnosis and treatment. This is especially important if you live alone; a spouse or partner is likely to demand that you visit a doctor if she sees you in distress during the night, but if you sleep on your own, you may be unaware that a larger problem exists (except for one prominent OSA symptom, daytime drowsiness).

As you might expect, remedies for OSA are significantly more expensive and involved than those for chronic snoring. One of the leading therapies is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP); basically, you wear a ventilator during the night that forces air down your trachea. Also currently under investigation are new types of surgery that either reduce the amount of floppy tissue in the uvula, or involve the insertion of implants that shore up the loose folds (based on our investigation, these surgeries cost in the neighborhood of a few thousand dollars apiece, and may or may not be covered by insurance). However, if your snoring isn't just occasional, it's worth checking with your doctor.