Do you know the differences between when snoring is just an occasional annoyance and when it’s a potential health problem? Knowing the symptoms of sleep apnea can help you decide whether to schedule a visit with an ENT doctor. Here’s what you should know about snoring.
The Most Common Causes of Snoring
Nearly 90% of adults experience episodes of snoring. Snoring is sometimes caused by obstructions due to physical attributes like oversized tonsils or a large tongue or uvula. Another possibility is a deviated septum, which is the most common reason why snoring occurs in adults. Other causes include higher-than-recommended body weight, some sedatives, and excessive alcohol consumption.
How to Tell When It’s Sleep Apnea
For some people, snoring ceases to be an annoying problem that keeps one’s partner awake and becomes a more serious medical issue. Here are the signs of a condition known as obstructive sleep apnea. If any of these sound familiar to you, it’s time to make an appointment with an ENT doctor.
- You suffer from irregular breathing throughout the night
- You stop breathing unexpectedly during sleep
- You feel lethargic throughout the day
- There’s no obvious explanation for how tired you feel after what should have been a good night’s sleep
When Snoring Begins to Impact Your Quality of Life
Snoring may be the butt of some pretty corny jokes, but when it begins to impact your quality of life, snoring is no laughing matter. An ENT doctor specializes in conditions of the ear, nose, and throat.
An ENT doctor will first examine your airways to look for signs of a physical obstruction. For some people, prescription medications can help alleviate snoring and sleep apnea. Others may find relief with sleep apnea masks or a surgical procedure.
Call Southwest Idaho ENT at (208) 336-4368 for more information or to schedule an appointment.