A letter on coronavirus awareness from Cameo Dental Specialists |
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Posted on 12/25/2018 by Vladana Babcic Tal DMD |
![]() While you may not be getting a good night's sleep because your partner is snoring, they may actually be having a much worse time. Snoring isn't the real problem—it's often only a symptom of something else that needs to be treated. Obstructive Sleep ApneaObstructive sleep apnea occurs when something, usually the muscles in the throat, cover your airway while you sleep. This forces your body to wake up long enough to tighten those muscles back up so you can breathe again. Unfortunately, the muscles relax again as soon as you fall back asleep, so you wake up again and again.Some people do this multiple times in an hour. While you may not consciously be aware that you're waking up that often, your body is. You don't get the rest you need, and it puts a strain on your body. It also makes it more difficult to get through the day, especially if this is happening every single night. Obstructed Nasal PassagesYou may also snore if your nasal passages are blocked by something. This may be caused by something temporary, such as a sinus infection or a cold. It could also be caused by something more serious such as nasal polyps or a deviated septum.Large or Swollen Tonsils, Soft Palate, or UvulaIf your tonsils are naturally larger than normal or are very swollen, they can also partially block your airway and lead to snoring. If you have a larger than normal soft palate or uvula (the dangling part at the very back of your mouth), they can also cause the passage between the throat and nose to be narrower than normal.If you snore, it's worth discussing it with us the next time you come in. We will help you determine the cause of your snoring and how to treat it so you can get a good night's sleep. |