Every year, millions of people lose sleep every night due to the loud snoring of their bed partner. While this can be a serious hassle that prevents you from having enough rest to get through your day, the consequences are much worse for the person who is doing the snoring.
Snoring can be embarrassing, especially if it occurs in wide view of others (such as when you fall asleep on the couch while a group of people are watching TV). However, this embarrassment doesn't even begin to compare with the health risks you face if you don't get your snoring under control. In many instances, snoring is symptomatic of a dangerous health condition called sleep apnea.
Dr. Heather Fleschler offers a wide range of treatments that will help you improve your snoring and alleviate the serious health risks associated with sleep apnea. Please call 713-660-6500 today to schedule a consultation at our office, serving patients in the West University, Bellaire, River Oaks, and Meyerland areas of Houston.
Causes of Snoring
Often, snoring is caused by sleep apnea, a condition that leads to repeated interruptions in your breathing while you are asleep at night. The actual mechanism responsible for your snoring is a blocked airway caused by a relaxing of the soft tissue in your throat. When your airway is blocked, it causes a vibration of your uvula and your soft palate every time you try to breathe. This vibration is what others hear as snoring.
There are also some factors that may increase your chances of being a chronic snorer. These include:
- Obesity
- Use of sedatives at night
- Heavy alcohol consumption
Health Risks Associated with Snoring
Snoring that is caused by sleep apnea can increase your risk of a variety of dangerous health conditions, including:
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Depression
In addition, a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic estimated that bed partners of snorers lose about an hour of sleep every night, resulting in an increased risk of chronic fatigue and impairment of motor skills.
Snoring Treatments
If Dr. Fleschler determines that your snoring is caused by sleep apnea, she may recommend one of the following treatments to alleviate the condition:
- Oral appliance therapy
- Positional sleep therapy
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
- Surgery
If you are ready to take action to treat your snoring, Dr. Fleschler will work with you to find the right solution for your unique needs.
Please contact Dr. Heather Fleschler through the form on this page or by calling 713-660-6500 today to schedule a sleep apnea consultation. Dr. Fleschler serves patients in the Houston, Texas areas of West University, Bellaire, Meyerland, and River Oaks.
