Fo many, sleeping is a bedtime orchestra, full of grumble, rumble, or even a honk made by a snoring loved one (or you!). Often, the cause of mirth or minor irritation, repeated and loud snoring can be more than a nighttime annoyance; it can be a warning sign of a potentially severe sleep disorder and even sleep apnea.
For the unversed, snoring happens when air flow through your nose and mouth is blocked. This could be because of a number of reasons ranging from having a stuffy nose to having too much alcohol, or simply your sleeping post. But if the snoring is persistently loud, disturbing, and is paired with other symptoms, it's time to ask yourself if sleep apnea is to blame.
Connection Between Snoring and Sleep Apnea
In an exclusive interaction with the editorial team of Onlymyhealth, our expert, Dr Shrey Kumar Srivastav, Senior Consultant and General Physician, Sharda Hospital - Noida, explained that sleep apnea is when an individual repeatedly stops breathing for brief intervals while sleeping. The pauses, or apneas, range from a few seconds up to over a minute and may repeat dozens, or even hundreds, of times during the night. The most prevalent form is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), in which the airway collapses or is obstructed despite the attempted breath.
The heavy snoring seen with sleep apnea is usually a straight result of these airway blockages. Because the body is having such an unpleasant time getting oxygen, the soft tissues in the throat will vibrate far more and produce an accompanying much more erratic and far heavier snore.
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Identifying 'Normal' Snoring vs. Sleep Apnea Snoring
So, how do you know if your (or your partner's) boisterous snoring is simply a benign habit or an indication of something more serious? Here's a summary of distinguishing factors, as shared by Dr Srivastav:
1. The Quality of the Snore
‘Normal’ Snoring: Is more uniform, rhythmic, and may fluctuate in volume. It may be louder on some nights than others based on such things as allergies or alcohol consumption.
Sleep Apnea Snoring: Usually defined by very loud and irregular snoring, often interrupted by choking, gasping, or snorting noises. There may be audible pauses in the snoring, followed by a resumption of breathing with a severe gasp. This type of snoring is commonly referred to as ‘stop-start’ snoring.
Also Read: When a 'Cold' Isn't Just a Cold: Expert Shares Overlooked Risks of Untreated Respiratory Infections
2. Witnessed Breathing Pauses
Normal’ Snoring: Although there may be some fluctuation in the snore, a witness will not usually notice complete stopping of breathing.
Sleep Apnea Snoring: This is a classic symptom. A family member or bed partner will frequently report observing the individual stopping and then, a few seconds to a minute or more later, suddenly beginning breathing again with a loud gasp or snort.
3. Daytime Symptoms
‘Normal’ Snoring: Although it can be disturbing to a partner, the snorer himself may not have a marked daytime symptom related to snoring.
Sleep Apnea Snoring: Because they are getting fragmented and low-quality sleep, people with sleep apnea often feel:
- Daytime sleepiness: Tired and sleepy even after an entire night's sleep.
- Headaches in the morning: Usually caused by low oxygen levels at night.
- Trouble concentrating and memory lapse.
- Short temper and mood swings.
- Frequent trips to the bathroom at night to urinate.
- Dry mouth or sore throat in the morning.
4. How You Feel in the Morning
‘Normal’ Snoring: You may wake up feeling basically rested, maybe with a slightly parched throat.
Sleep Apnea Snoring: You'll probably wake up feeling not refreshed, as if you've not slept at all, even though you've been in bed for hours.
5. Other Risk Factors
Not directly a differentiator of the snore itself, but some risk factors do make sleep apnea more likely:
- Obesity: Having too much weight around the neck can make the airway narrower.
- Age: The risk increases with age.
- Gender: Men are more likely to have sleep apnea than women.
- Genetics: Family history of sleep apnea.
- Nasal congestion or anatomical abnormalities (e.g., deviated septum).
- Alcohol and sedative use
Bottomline
Although occasional snoring may not be dangerous, chronically loud and disturbing snoring, in addition to morning fatigue and observed pauses of breathing during sleep, should never be overlooked. Untreated sleep apnea can cause a whole array of serious health issues, such as elevated blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and accidents.
The awareness of the distinction between ‘normal’ snoring and the characteristic signs of sleep apnea is the beginning of healthier sleep and improved general health. Be cautious and consult medical professionals if unsure.