Understanding the Source of Snoring

Snoring is the sound you make when the tissues in the back of your throat and upper airway partially collapse over your breathing tube. This vibration is caused when air passes through a narrow air passage in a turbulent flow. Your muscles relax during sleep, including those that help hold open your airway. Your tongue and palate relax back in your throat, and partially or totally close your airway.  For most people, sleeping on your back is the most likely position for snoring or sleep apnea to occur, since gravity pulls all that relaxed tissue directly back into the opening you use to breath.  The difference between snoring and sleep apnea, simplified, is this. Snoring represents a partial blockage of the opening, while in obstructive sleep apnea, the opening is completely blocked.  No air passes, even though your body is trying to breath.

There are several treatment alternatives for snoring and sleep apnea. At Sleep Solutions Northwest, we can help you find the best solution for you. In many cases, an oral appliance is effective in controlling simple snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea. In other cases a CPAP or a combination of an oral appliance and CPAP work best. Weight loss can make a big difference, and there are even exercises that we can teach you that will increase the tone of the tissues in your throat, making them less likely to collapse during sleep. Because of the impact snoring and sleep apnea can have on your health, we work in conjunction with physicians who are Sleep Specialists, as well as Ear, Nose and Throat doctors, Cardiologists and Primary Care providers to insure that your total health condition is taken into account when deciding on the best course of treatment for you.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea–Snoring’s Quiet Cousin

Over 80% of snorers also suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which your airway completely blocked for at least ten seconds, while you are trying to breathe.  This isn’t “holding your breath”.  Your body wants and needs the oxygen.  Your breathing muscles are trying desperately to get air into your lungs, but it doesn’t work because the opening is completely blocked off. As this continues, the oxygen levels in your blood start to drop, and your brain activates your “fight or flight mode” and adrenaline floods your system. This puts tremendous stress on your heart as it tries to provide the oxygen your brain must have to survive. Your sleep is disrupted as your body works frantically to reopen your airway. Though you may never consciously “wake up”, if you are someone with untreated sleep apnea, you are partially waking up literally hundreds of times a night. This dramatically affects your sleep quality, preventing you from reaching the critical stages of deep sleep where your body and brain repair and regenerate themselves.  Studies have shown that obstructive sleep apnea causes the risk of heart attack to be 23 times higher than normal.  Car accidents are 300% more likely, and workplace accidents are dramatically increased. If you are a snorer, and don’t feel particularly tired in the morning, you should still be watchful of the following signs and symptoms of sleep apnea:

• Reports by a bed partner that your breathing stops or you gasp during sleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Waking without feeling rested
• Headaches upon waking
• Mood or personality changes, Depression
• Difficulty focusing
• Memory problems
• Lack of energy, motivation, or drive
• Hypertension
• Weight gain
• Diabetes
• Decreased libido
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Difficulty controlling diabetes or high blood pressure, even on medication

If you have one or more of these symptoms, we strongly recommend that you see a Sleep Physician or visit us here to be evaluated and tested for obstructive sleep apnea.

Snoring isn’t sexy, romantic or funny.  It is your body’s early warning system, and it is telling you that you are at risk for, or may already have obstructive sleep apnea.

Don’t continue to burden your bed partner with your snoring or risk your life with obstructive sleep apnea. To increase your quality of life and get answers to your snoring and sleep apnea questions, visit Dr. Stuart Rich at Sleep Solutions Northwest in Auburn, Washington.

After finding out I had sleep apnea and not wanting to drag a CPAP machine with me when I traveled, the best decision I made was calling Sleep Solutions NW. The Office Manager (Sleep Ambassador), Kirstin, answered the phone and made a great first impression - she was friendly and accommodating. She answered all my questions and even dealt with my insurance company. My first appointment with Dr. Rich was very informative. He is extremely knowledgeable about sleep apnea and patiently answered all my questions regarding the Mandibular Advancement Device without any pressure to buy. Once I made the decision to move forward, he helped me choose the best device for me. He has state of the art technology – meaning no mouth full of goop for taking impressions. At my appointment to pick up my device, I was exhausted and having a hard time. To make sure I didn’t struggle with the device at home, Dr. Rich made a video for me so I would be more comfortable. The device was not difficult, and I didn’t need the video, but it’s just an example of his compassion for his patients. Fast forward 30 days, I absolutely love my device. I used to wake up every morning exhausted and need an afternoon nap to make it through the day. After wearing the device for 2 nights, I noticed a difference and 30 days later I feel even better with more energy. This device was life changing for me. I cannot thank Kirstin and Dr. Rich enough for their kindness and compassion and making the entire process so easy.

Kim Zumwalt

00:13 01 Feb 20

A-MA-ZING! This has been a life changer! Sleep Solutions Northwest are sleep professionals that deliver!Diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea and unable to tolerate a C-pap, I was sent to Sleep Solutions by my doctor. I honestly was a bit skeptical that a dental appliance would be a good fit for me but kept an open mind.The clinic is beautiful, Kirsten the receptionist, warm and friendly and Dr. Rich, patient and informative. The most up to date technology is used to fit your sleep device (they take digital impressions of your mouth!).My device arrived quickly, I was given a detailed tutorial on how to use with a follow up scheduled for a month out.First night of use, I was expecting to struggle to get to sleep (the norm) with this thing in my mouth. SHOCKER: I fell IMMEDIATELY to sleep and woke up feeling better than I had in I don't know how long! This is now my new trend - SLEEP! THANK YOU Sleep Solutions Northwest!!! I'm a much healthier believer now!

Milinda Bryan

13:26 25 Oct 19

After seeing many sleep docs over the years, I can hardly overstate how huge it is to find a doctor and staff who are knowledgeable, skilled, and caring, attributes I'd have once thought were standard, but which turn out to be quite rare. Very grateful to Dr. Rich and his staff.

Lawrence Freeman

20:30 10 Jul 19

I have been wearing the sleep apnea device for over a year. It has transformed my life. I used to wake up in the morning not knowing I was tired and sleeping a little later. Now I wake up around 6:30am to 7:30am and I am done. I am ready to awake and start the day. Never knowing before, that I was really tired from a restless, sleepless night. It has transformed my life. If I need a nap I head for my sleep appliance for a good rest. I do not wake up in the middle of the night and I even have dreams now. I tried the CPAP for two years. I could not sleep with that device on my head. I would wake up ripping it off in the middle of the night and then proceed with a worthless sleep.If sleep apnea is your problem, I would recommend Doctor Rich to research this possibility. It worked for me.

Tamara Vandenberg

19:19 24 Jan 18

Dr. Rich and Kirstin have been fantastic. They took the time to answer all of my questions, are friendly and professional. The office is welcoming, warm, and inviting- not to mention on a clear day has an outstanding view. Highly recommended for your sleep needs!

Courtney Coddington

15:32 12 Sep 17

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