Persistent snoring could be a sign of an underlying sleep problem.
Whether you are an occasional snorer or someone who rattles the walls night after night, if you are waking up in the morning feeling groggy and with an unhappy partner to boot then you may want to get some answers as to why you’re snoring and how to stop it. Nearly half of adults snore, but most don’t seek the treatment they need to get a better night’s rest. Our Bradenton, FL, sleep medicine specialist Dr. Jeremy McConnell at Sleep Manatee can help put your snoring to bed.
What causes snoring?
If you’re an occasional snorer then it could be something in your daily routine that could be leading to your nocturnal noises. Take a look at your habits and routine. Snoring may be caused by,
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Allergies, cold, flu, and other nasal issues
- Body position while sleeping (sleeping on your back versus your side)
- Pregnancy
- Medication (e.g. muscle relaxants)
- Being overweight or obese
If your snoring is something that’s occurring regularly, or if your snoring is really loud, you could be dealing with a sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea. This sleep disorder causes pauses in breathing and can lead to serious health problems including heart attack or stroke if left untreated. Turn to our Bradenton, FL, sleep team right away if your frequent and loud snoring is also accompanied by,
- Extreme daytime exhaustion despite getting a full night’s rest
- Frequent morning headaches
- Brain fog
- Trouble concentrating
- Restless sleep
- Sore throat in the morning
- Increased irritability
How is snoring treated?
If you find that simple lifestyle habits are the culprit, you can simply remove them from your routine to see if that improves your snoring. For example, quit smoking or avoid alcohol, especially before bedtime. Change sleep positions so you are sleeping on your side and not your back. If you’ve tried over-the-counter breathing strips and you’ve tried simple lifestyle changes and your snoring persists, it’s time to see Dr. McConnell at Sleep Manatee for a proper treatment plan. Once we figure out what’s causing your snoring we can recommend the proper treatment, which may include an oral device or CPAP therapy.
If snoring is keeping you and your partner up, you owe it to yourself to turn to our Bradenton, FL, sleep specialist Dr. McConnell at Sleep Manatee to find out what’s going on and how to manage it. Call us today at (941) 792-8383 for an evaluation.
