Sleep Apnea and Snoring are Not the Same

Snoring is simply the sound that occurs when the soft tissues of the mouth and throat vibrate as you breathe during sleep. Many people snore while they sleep but do not have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that should be formally diagnosed by a sleep lab, and we can help to recommend a reputable institution.

Sleep apnea involves a complete blockage of the airway for a period of 10 seconds or more. This blockage occurs repeatedly during a sleeping period. Sleep apnea has negative effects on your daily routine and overall fatigue, and can increase your risk for stroke and heart attack.

Most people familiar with sleep apnea have heard of a CPAP machine which maintains continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). However many people find a CPAP machine difficult to use due to poor fit or discomfort while sleeping at night.

For those patients who have difficulty with CPAP a sleep guard may be recommended. A sleep guard holds the lower jaw slightly forward, which in turn prevents the soft tissues from reaching a state where they can block airflow. Many patients respond well to this type of less invasive device during sleep. If you believe that you're having difficulty getting a restful night's sleep due to snoring or sleep apnea, just let us know and we can help.