Snoring is common and it is not restricted to just men. Women snore even though most don’t like to admit it. Snoring is easily treatable but because it can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea you should be screened for this serious sleep breathing disorder before seeking snoring treatment. WebMD has a video called Women Who Snore that is about this problem.

Snoring is caused by the partial blockage of your airway during sleep. When we sleep the tissue in our mouth and throat relax and fall back – when the airway is partially blocked this results in snoring.You are more likely to snore if you sleep on your back, if you are overweight or if you have used alcohol or sleeping pills before bed.

Even simple snoring can have health consequences – usually for the bed partner of the one who snores. Constantly disrupted sleep has been linked to depression and fatigue. Hearing loss has even been reported!

It is estimated that almost half of the adult population snores at one time or another. If snoring is chronic and is preventing other family members from getting a good nights sleep here are some suggestions:

• Get tested to rule out obstructive sleep apnea
• Avoid alcohol and sedatives before bed
• Avoid sleeping on your back – there are special pillows that may help
• Lose weight – excess weight around the neck makes snoring worse

Snoring can be stopped by sleeping with an oral appliance made by a dentist who has been trained in dental sleep medicine. These appliances are comfortable and will allow both partners to get a good night’s sleep in complete quiet. Don’t confuse these custom medical devices with snoring splints bought at the drug store or on-line. Those devices are not created to fit your anatomy and may cause tooth damage, tooth movement or jaw joint problems.

Please contact Columbus, OH sleep medicine dentist Dr. Mark Levy at 614-476-6696 to schedule a consultation to put an end to your snoring problem.