Many people mistakenly believe that snoring is synonymous with having sleep apnea; however, while snoring is common in individuals with sleep apnea, it's entirely possible to snore without having sleep apnea.

In reality, nearly everyone snores occasionally. But sleep apnea presents additional symptoms such as gasping, choking, or pauses in breathing.

Therefore, individuals with sleep apnea may snore, but not all snorers have sleep apnea.

If you're curious to determine whether you fall into the category of a simple snorer or if you may have sleep apnea, read on to discover more about snoring, sleep apnea, and how to distinguish between the two.

Sleep Apnea vs Snoring

When discussing snoring vs sleep apnea, it's crucial to understand the definitions of each, their implications, and how they may affect your future. 

As previously mentioned, snoring does not necessarily indicate the presence of sleep apnea. 

But let's delve deeper into snoring and sleep apnea facts. 

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that involves repeatedly stopping and starting breathing. If you find yourself snoring loudly, experiencing choking episodes at night, and feeling tired even after a full night's sleep, consider the possibility of sleep apnea.

The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when the muscles in the throat relax and obstruct the airflow to the lungs. 

On the other hand, central sleep apnea (CSA) happens when the brain doesn't send the right signals to the breathing muscles.

OSA is much more common than CSA. And while snoring is usually associated with OSA, it can also happen in people with CSA. 

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

OSA is a complex condition. Narrowing of the tissue around the upper airway can lead to reduced or stopped breathing, causing drops in blood oxygen levels due to inadequate airflow to the lungs.

These drops in blood oxygen or limited airflow trigger partial awakenings, which interfere with quality sleep. The partial awakenings are the body's way of re-engaging the muscles around the airway and taking recovery breaths.

People with obstructive sleep apnea can experience repeated airway obstruction dozens to hundreds of times during their sleep, which can be very hard.

As a result, every symptom is directly linked to this unfortunate condition.

Common OSA symptoms during sleep include snoring, pauses in breathing, choking, and gasping for air. 

However, the reality is that sleep apnea affects you even while you're asleep. Untreated sleep apnea may cause you to:

• Feel very sleepy when you should be alert, and you might even fall asleep during activities like reading, driving, or watching television.
• Experience morning headaches.
• Struggle with attention or focus at work, school, or daily tasks.
• Experience serious health issues like hypertension, congestive heart failure, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

If you or someone you know is showing symptoms of sleep apnea, it's really important to acknowledge them and seek the right medical help.

What is snoring?

Have you ever wondered why snoring happens? It's actually caused by the vibration of tissues in your mouth, nose, and throat. 

When you're asleep, the muscles supporting these tissues relax, and as air moves through to your lungs, the tissues vibrate, creating the snoring sound.

Now, if your airway becomes narrowed, the airflow over these tissues speeds up, leading to even more vibration and, you guessed it, more snoring. 

So, snoring becomes more likely when the airflow through your nose or throat is partially blocked during sleep.

Snoring typically has no lasting effects. 

What causes snoring?

Specific things can cause snoring, such as:

• Being overweight.
• Drinking alcohol or using sedative drugs.
• Smoking.
• Sleeping on your back.
• Having a stuffy nose.
• Nasal polyps (small growths in the nose)
• A bent wall between the nostrils.
• An underactive thyroid.
• Swelling of the tonsils or other tissues near the throat.

Your doctor can identify any of these factors and help you get the proper treatment for each one. 

Treatments for snoring and sleep apnea

If you or your partner are bothered by snoring, and it's not related to obstructive sleep apnea, you might be looking for ways to stop it. We suggest:

• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Breathing through your nose.
• Reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption.
• Stopping smoking.
• Sleeping on your side instead of your back.

However, if your snoring is related to OSA, a more specific treatment may be necessary:

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy effectively treats both snoring and sleep apnea by delivering pressurized air through a mask to keep your airway open while you sleep. 

• Custom oral appliances are approved by the FDA and designed by qualified dentists in collaboration with doctors to address snoring and sleep apnea. 

By exploring these options, you can work towards finding the most effective solution for your individual needs.

When should you contact a specialist?

If your snoring is disturbing you and your family, seeking professional support to identify the underlying cause is important. As we've discussed, various factors contribute to simple snoring, which can be effectively managed with the right treatment and lifestyle adjustments.

However, if you suspect that you may be experiencing sleep apnea, it's crucial to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider. This condition can significantly jeopardize a person's health and overall well-being in the short and long term.

Can we help you? 

Now that you understand the differences between snoring and sleep apnea, and the various causes and consequences, you can take proactive steps to address it, which can significantly improve both your quality of life and overall health.

At Yonge & Seven Dental, we have a program called Sleep Wellness Program, designed to help with snoring and sleep apnea. It aims to help you achieve better sleep by addressing the root causes of these issues.

Our sleep dentists evaluate your sleep patterns, symptoms, and health to identify snoring and sleep apnea issues. 

According to the results, we will design a customized treatment plan that may incorporate specially crafted oral appliances and lifestyle changes to enhance sleep quality.

To begin your journey to better sleep, reach out to us today. We're here to support you in achieving a more restful and fulfilling sleep experience.