Being told you snore while you sleep at night can feel embarrassing. It can be hard to hear about something that you can’t control! If your snoring is loud or frequent enough, it can even start to impact your relationship if it begins to affect your partner’s sleep quality.

Occasionally snoring isn’t usually something you need to worry about. About half of all American adults report snoring every once in a while.

But if snoring becomes chronic or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it could indicate an emerging sleep disorder. Your AFC Urgent Care Louisville team explains the details of snoring below.

Does Snoring Mean I Am Unhealthy?

Snoring isn’t inherently dangerous or unhealthy, it is just merely a sound created by your throat! When you snore, the air that is traveling through your airways vibrates against any excess tissue in your throat.

If you snore, it might just simply mean you have extra “floppy” tissue in the back of your throat. Other factors that can contribute to snoring are being overweight, smoking, drinking alcohol and having poor sleep posture. In some cases, snoring can indicate obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be really dangerous as it affects the way that you breathe at night. It can stop you from breathing completely from anywhere from 10 seconds to two full minutes.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms to Watch For

• Excessive sleepiness all day long
• Memory loss or attention issues
• Snoring loudly enough to wake others in your home
• Gasping or choking yourself awake all night

Would a Sleep Study Help My Snoring?

Sleep studies are a great tool in diagnosing what is going on in your body when you snore. During the study, your breathing, oxygen levels and any heart rate changes are monitored. Any dips or sudden changes in these levels can indicate a sleep disorder.

Having sleep apnea or another sleep disorder doesn’t mean you will never sleep well again! You will most likely be fitted with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine and be encouraged to make some lifestyle changes. People that have CPAP machines often report that they are now getting the best sleep of their lives.

Tips to Help With Snoring

• Prop pillows to sleep on your side.
  
• Limit alcohol use before bed.
• Lose excess weight.
• Change your pillows and sheets often.

Make your sleep health a priority! If you are concerned with the frequency of your snoring, come see us at AFC Urgent Care Louisville.