The Difference Between Snoring and Sleep Apnea

• The vibration of relaxed throat tissues during sleep leads to snoring.
• Pregnancy, weight gain, specific medications, and stagnation can contribute to the appearance of snoring.
• Snoring associated with sleep apnea is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as shortness of breath and daytime fatigue.

Snoring is a common problem, but its severity and consequences can vary among individuals.

Snoring can be mild, occasional, and harmless, or it can be a sign of a serious breathing disorder during sleep. More than a quarter of adults snore regularly.

What leads to snoring?

Snoring occurs due to the vibration of throat tissues at the back of the throat. While we sleep, muscles relax, narrowing the airway. As a person inhales and exhales, the moving air causes the tissue to vibrate and produce a sound.

Some people are more prone to snoring due to the size and shape of the muscles and tissue in their neck. In other cases, excessive tissue relaxation or airway narrowing leads to snoring. Other causes may include:

• Deviated nasal septum
• Overweight
• Use of sedatives
• Alcohol
• Nasal congestion
• Enlarged tonsils, tongue, or soft palate
• Deviated septum or polyps in the throat
• Small jaw
• Pregnancy

What is the difference between snoring and sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder in which the airways are blocked or constricted, leading to repeated episodes of shortness of breath.

While snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea - one of the most characteristic - not all people who snore have sleep apnea.

The distinctive feature of snoring in the presence of sleep apnea is very loud and resonant sounds, resembling choking, which disrupts the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body.

Is snoring dangerous?

It depends on the type, intensity, and frequency.

Mild snoring: Intermittent snoring is normal and does not require medical examination or treatment. It mainly affects... your partner, or roommate.

Primary snoring: Occurs more than three nights a week. Due to its frequency, it also disturbs your partner's sleep. It is not considered a health concern unless there are signs of sleep apnea.

Snoring associated with sleep apnea: From a health perspective, it is more concerning. If left untreated, it can lead to complications and negative effects on our overall well-being. It is associated with dangerous daytime dizziness and more serious medical conditions of the cardiovascular system, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and depression.

When should you see a doctor?

When you recognize signs of sleep apnea:

• Snoring is more frequent than three nights a week
• Extremely loud or bothersome snoring
• Snoring with choking, gasping, or snorting sounds
• Snoring in the presence of overweight
• Unusual daytime sleepiness
• Lack of focus
• Morning headaches
• High blood pressure
• Nighttime teeth grinding
• Frequent urination at night

If you recognize any of these signs in yourself, it is important to share them with your doctor so that they can order a test to determine if there is a problem.

How do I know if I snore if I sleep alone?

Unless someone tells us, it's hard to know if we snore. The most accessible way is to choose a phone app that records and analyzes your sleep. Remember that if you have sleep apnea, snoring occurs more than 3 nights a week, so analyze your sleep for several consecutive nights.

Pay attention to other factors as well - malaise, daytime sleepiness, problems with thinking and focus, or unexplained mood changes.

What can improve things?

A higher pillow can reduce snoring levels.