How to find out if you snore during sleep

Do you snore when you sleep? Some of us are aware that we do, but there are some who suspect but are not too sure. Snoring is more sinister than most people think. It can severely strain relationships between sleeping partners and can signal major health problems. Specifically, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a serious medical condition whereby patients stop breathing for prolonged periods of time while sleeping. As you can imagine, this lack of oxygen is terrible for your body and can lead to poor health. So, how can you figure out if you snore while you sleep? Think you know a lot about snoring? You may be surprised by some of the myths about snoring here.

What is Snoring?

Snoring is a sound created during sleep when air flows through relaxed tissues in the throat, causing them to vibrate. It is a common condition and occurs more frequently in men and people who are overweight.

Snoring can range from a soft, quiet noise to a loud, disruptive sound that may disturb others’ sleep. While occasional snoring is usually not a cause for worry, chronic snoring can indicate underlying health issues such as obstructive sleep apnea.

What Causes Snoring?

1. Anatomy of the mouth and throat: Certain physical attributes, such as a low, thick soft palate or enlarged tonsils and adenoids, can narrow the airway and increase the likelihood of snoring. Similarly, the tissue hanging from the back of the throat can obstruct airflow and cause snoring.
2. Sleep position: Sleeping on your back can make the tongue and soft palate drop to the back of the throat, leading to airway obstruction and snoring. Sleeping on the side may reduce snoring.
3. Nasal problems: Prolonged nasal congestion or a deviated septum can block airflow through the nose, forcing breathing through the mouth and increasing the chance of snoring.
4. Alcohol and sedatives: Consuming alcohol or sedative medications relaxes the muscles in the throat, reducing airway space and causing snoring.
5. Obesity: Excess fat accumulation around the neck and throat can narrow the airway, making snoring more likely.
6. Sleep deprivation: Not sleeping enough can lead to throat muscle relaxation, increasing the risk of snoring.

What Are The Symptoms of Snoring?

If you suffer from snoring, there are several symptoms to look out for:

1. The constant mouth breathing can cause dry mouth and sore throat in the morning.
2. You may snore so loud that it wakes you from your sleep.
3. If you constantly feel tired, even after a sufficient night’s sleep, you are very likely snoring and also suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
4. Other OSA symptoms include difficulty concentrating, frequently dozing off, gasping and choking sensation while asleep.

The last two symptoms are bigger causes for concern as OSA is associated with long-term health problems. These symptoms should be shared with your doctor as soon as possible so that you can receive appropriate treatment early.

Ways to Know You Snore

Ask your bed partner!

This is the simplest way if you sleep with someone. Your sleeping partner will clue you in on your snoring pattern, how severe it is and if it’s affecting your sleep. Provided they are not terribly heavy sleepers, your bed mate is the best person to help you answer this question. Questions to ask your bed partner include if your snoring is intermittent or consistent, and how loud your snoring is. Breath holds, gasping for air and choking sounds are red flags that point to a more serious problem. Being aware of your snoring patterns will provide you with invaluable information that can be shared with your doctor.

Record yourself while you sleep

With advancements in technology, smart phones have become ubiquitous in our daily lives. All of us have smartphones so why not put it to good use while charging it next to our bedside at night? Utilize a voice recording app such as SnoreLab that will let you record your nighttime snoring activity. This will provide you and your physician with very useful information that can objectively gauge the severity of your snoring problem. Moreover, this is also a good way to monitor improvement after treatments such as the Fotona NightLase®.

Surgical & Non-Surgical Treatments for Snoring

There are various surgical and non-surgical options available to reduce or eliminate snoring.

Non-Surgical Treatments

1. Lifestyle modifications: This includes weight loss, avoiding alcohol before bedtime, changing sleep positions, and establishing a regular sleep routine. Sleeping on the side rather than the back can also help reduce snoring.
2. Oral appliances: These devices, similar to mouthguards, help keep the airway open by repositioning the jaw, tongue, or soft palate. They are often used for mild to moderate snoring and can be fitted by a dentist specializing in sleep apnea treatment.
3. Nasal strips or nasal dilators: Over-the-counter nasal strips can aid in the opening of nasal passages and improve airflow. Nasal dilators are placed inside the nostrils to help keep them open.
4. Fotona NightLase: Fotona NightLase is a non-surgical laser treatment designed to reduce snoring by tightening the tissues in the throat and soft palate. The procedure involves using a gentle laser to warm the tissues, causing them to contract and open the airway. This non-invasive snoring treatment requires no anaesthesia and is ideal for patients with mild to moderate snoring. Fotona Nightlase is well-tolerated with minimal discomfort.

Surgical Treatments

1. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): This surgery involves removing excess tissue from the throat, such as the uvula, soft palate, and sometimes the tonsils, to widen the airway and reduce snoring.

Consult with a doctor to determine the most appropriate treatment for snoring. The effectiveness of each method depends on your specific condition and underlying causes.

Summary

In summary, awareness is the first step to solving a problem. If we are already aware that we snore, we should seek help. If we are not sure, we probably should ask our bed partner or do a few nights of recording to be sure. Don’t despair if you snore. There are effective treatments such as NightLase which can help you with your snoring.

[7 Dec 2020] A blog post by Dr. Gabriel Wong

Having graduated from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine – Dr Gabriel Wong worked in several hospitals in Singapore where he honed his medical acumen.

Fate was at work when he met Dr Kelvin Chua, which sparked his interest in aesthetic medicine.

Growing from strength to strength under the tutelage of Dr Chua, Gabriel developed an eye for detail and beauty – perfectly in tune with aesthetic medicine, a confluence of art and science.

He applies this in a range of non-invasive procedures such as Botox treatments, soft tissue augmentation (Dermal Fillers with the Cannula Method), skin rejuvenation with lasers, and effective acne and acne scar treatments (Fractional CO2 Laser, subcision).

In his free time, Gabriel loves to travel in search of that perfect snapshot. His works of art have won praises by many patients.

For more information, write to contact@slclinic.com.sg.
To contact Dr Gabriel Wong, write to gabriel@slclinic.com.sg.