Does Snoring Always Turn Into Sleep Apnea?

Snoring and sleep apnea may go hand-in-hand, but they’re not technically the same disorder. Snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, but it’s possible to snore without having the condition. Here, we’ll look at what you should know about separating the two, and why it matters.

Snoring Vs. Sleep Apnea

The easiest way to think about snoring in Las Vegas, NV is to think of vibrating tissues. In other words, when your muscles relax, the airflow stimulates them to vibrate. The more tissue you have, the more likely you are to snore. It’s part of the reason why one of the first tips to curb snoring is to remove additional calories from your diet.

Sleep apnea is an actual obstruction in your breathing, even if it only occurs for a short period of time. Snoring can be a precursor to sleep apnea, but not every snorer has sleep apnea and not everyone with sleep apnea snores.

What to Know

Numbers are sometimes hard to gather about sleep apnea, especially for those with mild cases. For example, you might snore for years and not realize that it’s sleep apnea because the obstructions are so minimal that they don’t disrupt your rest (or at least don’t disrupt your rest enough). The bottom line, though, is that snoring can sometimes become sleep apnea if it goes unaddressed. And, even if it doesn’t become sleep apnea, the constant vibrations can be enough to disrupt a good night’s rest (even if it’s not your night’s rest).

At Snore Vegas, our job is to help you work through any number of sleep disorders, whether it’s moderate snoring or severe sleep apnea. If you’re interested in preventative care, our sleep specialists in Las Vegas, NV are here to answer your questions.

Is Sleep Apnea Serious?

When the average person describes sleep apnea in Las Vegas, NV, they may say things like “you stop breathing while you’re asleep”. This can make the condition sound like a deadly problem, as though you might be strangled by a lack of air.

However, while it is possible for sleep apnea to become fatal, it’s also possible for people to have mild sleep apnea and never even realize they have the condition. Here, we’ll look at how severity ranges and why it matters.

Sleep Apnea and You

Sleep apnea is essentially a condition where the air is obstructed during sleep. It usually occurs when the tissues in the back of your throat constrict, but not always. For instance, people with brain injuries from strokes may experience an interruption in air if the brain cannot signal the body to breathe.

In the real-world, this may manifest in anything from a brief pause when you’re at rest to severe snoring where your whole body struggles to intake any air to a complete stoppage in breathing. This is just one reason why it’s not always easy for people with sleep apnea to know what to do or who to turn to. When the issue runs from barely there to deadly, the answers are less clear.

Why Visit a Dentist for Sleep Apnea?

dentist in Las Vegas, NV may not always be the right person to visit if you suspect you have severe sleep apnea, especially if you’re dealing with a brain disorder. However, for most people, a dentist can be a great way to address your apnea.

If you’ve been struggling with anything from snoring to interrupted sleep, the right dentist will determine how your airway is blocked and how you can open it up to have a better night’s rest.

When Should You Seek Treatment for Sleep Apnea?

Do you think you might have sleep apnea? Or have you been diagnosed with this condition? It’s a sleep disorder that can affect different areas of your life due to sleep disruptions, making treatment important. Our sleep therapists in Las Vegas, NV, at Snore Vegas offer ways to manage this condition to improve sleep quality — and your quality of life! Here’s when to seek care for it.

You’re Experiencing Symptoms

Snoring is one of the most common signs that you have sleep apnea. But you can have other symptoms, too, such as:

  • Gasping when waking up abruptly
  • Breathing pauses during sleep
  • Dry mouth in the morning
  • Moodiness

Your Snoring Is Affecting Loved Ones’ Sleep

Sleep apnea tends to cause loud, frequent snoring. You might not notice since you’re asleep — but spouses or other family members might have trouble sleeping due to the noise.

You’re Feeling Tired All Day

This condition causes you to wake up repeatedly, leaving you feeling sleepy during the day. That can affect your ability to drive and get other tasks done.

You Want to Lower Your Risk of Health Problems

Did you know that sleep apnea can raise your risk of chronic conditions, like diabetes? It also affects your immune system, making it more difficult to fight off illnesses.

You’re Having Trouble Concentrating and Remembering

Sleep disruptions from this condition can affect your cognitive skills. You might have memory problems or difficulty focusing and making decisions.

Visit Our Sleep Therapists for Treatment!

Are you snoring a lot or showing other signs of sleep apnea? We can help you manage this condition! At Snore Vegas, our sleep experts provide sleep apnea treatment in Las Vegas, NV, helping you get uninterrupted rest night after night!

4 Signs of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea isn’t always evident to the person experiencing this condition. Often, sleep partners are the first to raise the possibility of sleep apnea, due to noticing symptoms that cause sleep problems in Las Vegas, NV for the sleep partner. Of course, there are also other signs of sleep apnea that can be detected by the person who has it. But you have to know what to look for. Here are four signs of sleep apnea to be aware of.

1. Tiredness During the Day

Sleep apnea interferes with the body’s natural sleep processes, so those who suffer from it often find that they awaken feeling just as tired as when they went to bed the night before. The person may find themselves uncontrollably yawning or wishing they could lay down for a nap in the afternoon.

2. Sudden Awakenings During the Night

During episodes of apnea, the brain may force a “startled awakening.” This is when the person suddenly wakes up, often with a feeling that they can’t breathe. They may sit up up, gasping for air. This is because they were being deprived of oxygen during the episode.

3. Snoring

With sleep apnea, there can be accompanied snoring; often loud and disruptive. This is the symptom most often noticed by sleep partners, as it can be so loud that it resonates throughout the home, waking everybody within earshot.

4. Crankiness

Mood disorders can arise out of sleep apnea, too. This is the result of not getting enough restful sleep, meaning sleep that includes all the natural cycles, including REM. This can make the person irritable and cranky, often overreacting to small setbacks during the day.

A sleep solutions clinic such as Airway Solutions Vegas may help. If you have sleep apnea in Las Vegas, NV, contact us today for a consultation.

 What Is Myofunctional Therapy and What Is It Used For?

If you’re having trouble sleeping, you are probably looking for solutions to correct that…right? There are a variety of sleep solutions available than you might realize. One of those solutions is called myofunctional therapy. Your sleep doctor in Las Vegas, NV, can tell you if you are a good candidate for it. But until then, here is some information about myofunctional therapy.

What Is Myofunctional Therapy and What Is It Used For

Take a look at some of the most commonly asked questions about myofunctional therapy.

What is myofunctional therapy?

Myofunctional therapy (tongue therapy) is a training program that corrects the improperly functioning muscles in your face and tongue.

What is myofunctional therapy used for?

Myofunctional therapy trains your facial muscles and tongue to work properly. It does this by strengthening the weak muscles around your face, tongue, mouth, lips, and airways. These exercises are designed to correct your sleep-disordered breathing problems, such as obstructive sleep apnea in Las Vegas, NV.

How does myofunctional therapy work?

Myofunctional therapy combines several physical therapy exercises. This combination works to help improve your facial posture, bite, and breathing. The goal is to train your face, mouth, neck, and your mouth’s soft tissues to reach their optimal oral resting posture and tongue position.

How successful is myofunctional therapy?

Good news! Myofunctional therapy has an 80-90% success rate when it comes to ease of swallowing, rest posture, and other related oral functions.

How long does it take to see results from myofunctional therapy?

Most people see results from their myofunctional therapy within six months or so. But only if they are doing their therapy exercises consistently.

Are You Looking for a Sleep Doctor in Las Vegas, NV?

If you are looking for a sleep doctor or just want more information about myofunctional therapy, please Contact Airway Solutions Nevada today. We can help!