Is There a Difference Between Snoring and Sleep Apnea?
If you’ve been snoring, you may question what’s behind it. These initial musings can lead you down a rabbit hole that repeats much of the same information. If you’re curious about whether sleep apnea and snoring in Chattanooga, TN are the same thing, we’ll look at what you need to know about both conditions.
Do I Have Sleep Apnea If I Snore?
No, you may not have sleep apnea if you snore. Many people who snore have sleep apnea, but snoring simply refers to the vibrations that tissues undergo when you’re asleep. Whether those tissues are in your mouth, throat, or nose, they all fall under the blanket description of snoring.
What Exactly Is Apnea?
Apnea refers to an actual interruption in your breath, whether it’s due to a tissue blockage or because your brain doesn’t trigger your body to breathe (the latter typically only occurs if you’ve had a stroke or other major brain damage).
For mild cases of sleep apnea, also known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA),the difference between sleep apnea and snoring might look negligible on the face of it. The problem is that mild apnea doesn’t always stay mild. The longer you go without treatment or interference, the more likely it will become a more severe problem.
How Is Apnea Treated in Chattanooga?
It may sound very scary to hear that you stop breathing at night. In fact, in rare cases, sleep apnea has been known to be fatal. However, for most people, it’s not necessarily a troubling diagnosis. Some people can treat their condition with lifestyle changes, like bringing down their stress levels, losing weight, or cutting back on smoking and drinking. Others may need a sleep study to figure out a better course of treatment — whether you need sleep medication or an oral appliance to help balance your breathing.
If you’re looking for sleep experts in Chattanooga, contact Choo Choo City Sleep Solutions to learn more about our services or to inquire about our expertise. We can not only help you diagnose the problem, we can give you customized solutions to fit your lifestyle.