Snoring and sleep apnea are different

Snoring is not always alarming, but certain symptoms like breathing pauses, waking up with a feeling of suffocation, or excessive daytime sleepiness should prompt a search for sleep apnea.

Symptoms in the bedroom

In the bedroom, the problem may seem very concrete: a snoring that wakes the other person, nights full of interruptions, and then the search for a spray, a ring, or an accessory promising finally silence.

When to seek medical help

The reflex to remember is simple: before trying to silence the noise, one should ask whether it does not hide a sleep-related breathing disorder. Not all snorers have sleep apnea, but observed breathing pauses, waking up with a feeling of suffocation or marked daytime sleepiness should lead to a consultation.

Causes of snoring

Snoring corresponds to vibrations of the throat tissues when air passes during sleep. It can be favored by nasal obstruction, lying on the back, alcohol in the evening, overweight, smoking, certain medications, or anatomical peculiarities.

Snoring and sleep apnea connection

In many situations, it is mainly a sound problem, sometimes very annoying for the surroundings. However, snoring can also be associated with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome: the airways close partially or completely repeatedly during the night, which disrupts sleep.

Diagnosis and distinction

The distinction is important: an isolated snore is not enough to diagnose sleep apnea. Conversely, dismissing a long, loud snore punctuated by stops could be a mistake. For more information, read more on Doctissimo.