This is really embarrassing for me, but I finally just have to ask for help. My husband says I snore! I know I used to snore off and on when I was pregnant with my children, but now that we are older, he says it is every night, and it is keeping him awake. I don’t know of any other women that have this problem, and I am too embarrassed to ask my friends. What can I do?
–Monique in Little Rock, AR
Dear Monique,
It will comfort you to know that you are not alone—approximately eighty-seven MILLION Americans snore. What concerns me is that your snoring may be a sign of an undiagnosed sleep disorder that can have a serious affect on your health.
Snoring happens when your airway becomes partially blocked, such as when your tongue falls back as you sleep. This narrowed airway causes your throat to vibrate, which is snoring. In many cases, your body continues to get adequate oxygen and no harm is done.
However, snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea, which is an interruption in breathing or an episode of shallow breathing while you sleep. If you experience any of the following, your snoring may actually be a symptom of sleep apnea:
- decreased memory
- depression
- excessive daytime sleepiness
- personality changes
Sleep apnea can have a detrimental effect on your long term health, up to and including strokes and heart attacks, so clearly it is to be taken seriously! You should consult your regular physician about this problem, to determine if and to what degree you have sleep apnea.
A dentist like Dr. Malone can help you stop snoring, and treat your sleep apnea. Dr. Malone can provide you with a custom made oral device such as a SomnoMed that you wear when you sleep. This comfortable device is very effective in treating snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea.
Hope this helps you get back to sleep!