What Causes Snoring?

Snoring occurs during sleep when the lower jaw of the snorer moves backward, reducing airflow. This causes the soft palate to vibrate, producing the characteristic sound.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing stops for several seconds during sleep due to the narrowing of the upper airways. It can occur multiple times per night and leads to decreased oxygen levels in the blood.

Effects on Sleep Quality

Due to reduced airflow and frequent awakenings during the night, a person feels tired and unrested the next day. These conditions can seriously affect health and may worsen preexisting illnesses.

The Impact of Snoring and OSA on Health

Cardiovascular Diseases

Research shows that nearly half of people with cardiovascular diseases also suffer from OSA. Breathing interruptions affect the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased blood pressure and faster heart rate. The body cannot rest properly at night, and these consequences carry over into the daytime.

Diabetes

For people with diabetes, regulating blood sugar is already challenging. Interrupted sleep disrupts insulin metabolism and makes blood sugar regulation even harder, especially for those who snore or have OSA.

Leptin Hormone Disruption

Leptin regulates appetite and hunger. If a person experiences interrupted sleep due to snoring or OSA, leptin function is disturbed. This can lead to increased hunger, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, creating a vicious cycle.

Reduced Blood Oxygen Levels

Reduced airflow and interrupted breathing at night decrease oxygen levels in the blood. This affects vital organs, disrupts overall metabolism, and can trigger inflammatory processes in the body.

How to Know If You Have a Problem

Patients often learn about sleep problems when someone in their environment notices their snoring, breathing interruptions, coughing, or choking. Symptoms a person may feel after a poor night’s sleep include:

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Mood changes

• Increased appetite

• Heart palpitations

• High blood pressure

How to Solve Snoring and OSA

Medical Assistance

If family members report that you snore, it is necessary to seek medical help. An ENT examination can identify obstructions in the throat or nose. Some clinics offer overnight sleep studies that measure breathing interruptions, sleep quality, heart function, and blood oxygen levels.

Dental Devices

At Dr. Bede’s dental clinic, we use the SILENSOR SL device, which opens the upper airways during sleep, preventing snoring and breathing interruptions.

What You Can Do Yourself

• Avoid alcohol, coffee, and cigarettes, especially in the evening

• Sleep in a well-ventilated, cooler room

• Change your pillow

• Avoid electronic devices an hour before bedtime

• Maintain a healthy body weight

For any additional questions about addressing snoring with a dentist, we are here to help.