Loud Snoring

Snoring can often be problematic to the spouse/bed partner. It is often worse when sleeping on the back. It does tend to get worse as we get older and also with weight gain. The greatest concern is that snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea. This is a sleep disorder that is associated with periods of no breathing at night, gasping for air, morning headaches, nasal congestion and not feeling rested in the mornings. Daytime fatigue and sleepiness are commonly a problem. Sleep apnea does increase the risk for high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes. Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea can be managed with various treatment options. The most common options are CPAP (continous positive pressure therapy), oral appliance therapy and surgical options.