Do you come here to know whether you can have sleep apnea without snoring or not? Or you also snore at night and wonder if it may be due to sleep apnea. Well, we will clear up all your doubts.
Snoring is one of the major symptoms of sleep apnea, but yes, it’s possible without it too. So you can have sleep apnea without snoring. To understand it better, you need to dig a little deeper. We have shared everything about these two sleeping problems and their connection below in detail.
Reading this article will enable you to understand the link between sleep apnea and snoring. Moreover, you will also learn about its treatment methods. Let’s uncover more about these conditions without further delay.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea means the pause of breathing during sleep. These pauses are usually for a few seconds. These can last around 10 to 30 seconds in a night. You may or may not feel disruptions in your sleep during it. Your partner, a family member, or someone close to your bed can easily notice it.
Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea
Here are some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea:
- Loud and chronic snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Choking or gasping for air during sleep
- Restless tossing and turning
- Frequent awakenings during the night
- Morning headaches
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty concentrating or staying alert
- Irritability or mood changes
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia)
- Waking up with a choking or gasping sensation
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Decreased libido or sexual dysfunction in men
- Frequent urination during the night (nocturia)
- Memory problems or difficulty learning new things
Types Of Sleep Apnea
There are three types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common of them. The other two are rare. Let’s check out the details of these types.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Your upper airway is blocked, and you can’t get enough air to breathe. Your brain notices these low oxygen levels and wakes you up. You are usually choking or gasping for breath when you wake up. It can happen between 5 and 30 times during the night. The most common causes of this condition are:
- Throat muscles
- A large tongue blocks the airway.
- The airway is narrowing.
- extra fatty tissue in the throat or soft tissue closing at the back of the throat
Central Sleep Apnea
The second type of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea. You can have this sleep apnea without snoring. It is because the brain doesn’t send clear signals to the muscles controlling breathing. It causes breathing problems in your sleep, and you don’t even snore.
Complex Sleep Apnea
The third type of sleep apnea is complex sleep apnea. It is caused while trying to cure the obstructive sleep apnea. This new type becomes noticeable only when the initial treatment doesn’t work. It is a rare type of apnea.
Understanding The Link Between Sleep Apnea And Snoring
Snoring is the sound that comes from breathing through the narrow airway. It is the leading symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. But you can also snore due to several other reasons, like:
- Overweight or obesity
- Alcohol and sedatives
- Sleeping position
- Nasal deformities or polyps
- Sleep deprivation
- Old age
You have sleep apnea without snoring in central sleep apnea because the body doesn’t even try to breathe in it due to fewer signals from the brain. Snoring usually doesn’t pose a threat, but you should get checked up if it’s frequent. Because it affects your sleep quality and may be a sign of sleep apnea.
Treatment Of Sleep Apnea And Snoring
You can treat sleep apnea and snoring with different methods. Managing healthy sleeping habits is essential for all sleeping problems. The best among all is the proper diagnosis by the doctor first and then its treatment accordingly.
- Cpap: CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. It is a device that you wear while sleeping. It works by applying mild positive air pressure to avoid breathing problems during the night.
- Oral Appliance Therapy: This treatment method works by applying oral appliances to your mouth. It fits around your teeth and supports your jaw to keep your airways open.
- Solea Sleep: Solea apnea is a laser treatment that works for snoring or sleep apnea problems due to uvula and soft palate issues. It is a quick 5-minute treatment that lasts up to 1 year. Different treatment methods are suitable for different conditions. Get a proper diagnosis and follow the prescribed treatment by the doctor according to your condition.
Final Words
Yes, you can have sleep apnea without snoring. While snoring is a prominent sign of obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea can occur without any audible signs. Either way, sleep is essential for our body to work in the best possible way.
So start the diagnosis and treatment as soon as you notice any sign of snoring or sleep apnea. Maintaining good sleep hygiene will improve the quality of your sleep, along with other prescribed treatments.
