Snoring is one of the most obvious signs that a patient suffers from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). While OSA isn’t contagious, the other adverse side effects like fatigue, headaches, and memory loss or confusion are easily transferred to the loved ones kept up all night by loud snoring. Many patients believe that the use of a constant positive airway pressure (CPAP) system is the only way to regain their peaceful sleep, but actually, an unobtrusive, comfortable dental appliance may provide the relief patients with OSA desire. Call Dr. Scott Wagner and his Jacksonville Beach, FL team to schedule a sleep apnea consultation, and find out more about how a mouthguard could help you stop snoring and sleep through the night.
The Underlying Cause of Snoring – is Acoustics?
Snoring occurs when breathing is partially obstructed causing vibrations in the airway while inhaling that are amplified while exhaling. This is why most snorers seem to have a pattern of light snoring followed by a stream of loud snoring. It’s all about acoustics, the science of sound. Unobstructed, air passes through the windpipe virtually soundlessly, and exits through the sinuses just as quietly. However, allergies or infection in the respiratory system create blockages that interfere with air making the sounds of breathing more audible due to the added vibration. As we sleep, we’re unable to control the sounds of our breathing which leads to loud snoring.
How OSA Causes Snoring
OSA is the blocking of the airway during sleep preventing patients from inhaling adequate levels oxygen, and eventually, stops breathing for several seconds at a time. This triggers a warning reaction from the brain that awakens the body to restart breathing. These repeated incidences of apnea (the cessation of breath) are the cause of the exhaustion experienced by OSA sufferers. It’s the blocking of the airway leading up to the apnea events that causes the snoring. As the airway becomes increasingly blocked, breathing becomes more and more audible eventually sounding like a wheezing or gurgling in some cases. After patients are awakened, they may reposition to open the airway decreasing the volume of snoring briefly.
Stop Snoring Jacksonville Residents and Start Sleeping Soundly
By treating OSA, patients experience a more restful night’s sleep, and restored mental function and energy levels. For some OSA suffers and their loved ones, the greatest result of OSA treatment is that snoring is minimized. OSA is occurs when a patient’s throat muscles relax blocking the movement of air through the sinuses and windpipe. Using a small dental appliance, patients’ jaws are repositioned slightly forward during sleep opening the airway and preventing incidences of apnea and snoring.
Call the Dentist for Sleep Apnea Ponte Verdra – Eccella
If you’re interested in finding out more about how a mouthguard could help you get a full night’s sleep, and cure snoring related to OSA, call Dr. Scott Wagner and the Ecella team today.