Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea. (or now commonly referred to as a sleep related breathing disorder) is a condition in which breathing slows or stops many times during sleep. This is due to the collapse and narrowing of the upper airway related to muscle relaxation that accompany sleep. It is often characterized by snoring or snorting and sometime by pauses in breathing. These events lead to constant interruptions in sleep. These patients experience unrefreshing sleep and often complain of daytime fatigue or sleepiness.
(see our article “can you breathe and sleep at the same time?”)

Consequences of sleep apnea includes:
Chronic fatigue and poor daytime performance
Mood disorder
Possible marital problems

Long term cardiovascular effects including:
High blood pressure
Heart disease and heart failure
Stroke
Diabetes

Snoring. While this is often nothing more than a nuisance it can be a sign of occult sleep apnea. Despite our acceptance of simple snoring as being normal, it is a sign of partial upper airways obstruction and implies difficulty in breathing during sleep. Patients who snore heavily are at a higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep related breathing disorders. There is growing evidence that even simple snoring is related to increased daytime sleepiness and reduced alertness.

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