If you want to learn how to stop snoring in Beverly Hills, CA, you’re in the right place. The disruptive effects of snoring affect thousands of people, and can sometimes be a sign of underlying sleep disorders like sleep apnea.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into practical strategies, expert insights, and proven methods to help you discover how to stop snoring and enjoy peaceful nights once again. We are fortunate to have the expertise of Dr. Jamielynn Hanam-Jahr, the trusted professional at Beverly Hills Aesthetic Dentistry, guiding us.
Schedule your consultation and see if you qualify for a free home sleep test today!
Understanding What Causes Snoring
Snoring occurs when the flow of air through the mouth and throat is partially blocked during sleep, leading to vibrations in the surrounding tissues and the characteristic snoring sound. While snoring itself may not pose immediate health risks, it can be a sign of underlying issues. Firstly, it’s important to recognize that various factors can contribute to snoring, including:
- Obesity: Excess weight, particularly around the neck area, can narrow the airway and result in snoring.
- Nasal Problems: Issues like congestion or nasal deformities can obstruct airflow, leading to snoring.
- Sleep Position: Sleeping on your back can cause the tongue and soft palate to collapse to the back of your throat, increasing the likelihood of snoring.
- Alcohol and Sedatives: The muscle-relaxing effects of alcohol and sedatives can contribute to throat muscle relaxation, elevating the risk of snoring.
- Age: As individuals age, throat muscles tend to relax more, making snoring more likely.”
Worried your snoring might be sleep apnea? Take our SLEEP QUIZ
Is Snoring Dangerous?
Understanding the potential risks associated with snoring is crucial. Frequent, loud snoring may indicate sleep apnea, a sleep disorder associated with various health concerns. Sleep apnea can lead to hypertension, heart problems, daytime fatigue, and even relationship strain due to disturbed sleep. This condition can lead to severe health concerns, including:
- Daytime Fatigue: Frequent sleep disruptions result in excessive daytime sleepiness, significantly affecting one’s overall quality of life.
- High Blood Pressure: Sleep apnea is closely associated with hypertension, elevating the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Heart Problems: Individuals with sleep apnea face an increased risk of experiencing heart rhythm disturbances, heart attacks, and heart failure.
- Type 2 Diabetes: There is a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes among those affected by sleep apnea.
Who Is Affected by Snoring?
There are two main people who are affected by snoring, the person snoring and their bed partner. Firstly, a person who snores can be affected by various consequences, including disrupted sleep patterns, daytime fatigue, and potential health risks associated with conditions like sleep apnea.
Sharing a bed with a snorer can be challenging for the bed partner. Snoring, while not physically harmful, often leads to sleep disturbances. The loud, rhythmic noise can result in frequent awakenings, causing fatigue, irritability, and a reduced quality of life for the partner.
The frustration from disrupted sleep may strain the relationship, potentially leading to separate sleeping arrangements.
The Connection Between Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Understanding the link between snoring and sleep apnea is crucial for addressing the issue effectively. Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, often accompanied by gasping or choking sounds.
Loud snoring can be a prominent symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, a type of sleep apnea caused by the partial collapse of the upper airway during sleep.
Worried your snoring might be sleep apnea? Take our SLEEP QUIZ
The Connection Between Snoring, Sleep Apnea, and Underdeveloped Airways
One significant contributor to both snoring and sleep apnea is an underdeveloped airway. When the upper and lower jaws do not fully develop, it can result in a narrower airway, making it easier for tissues in the throat to vibrate and obstruct the passage of air during sleep.
This anatomical issue is particularly prevalent in children and can persist into adulthood if left untreated.
Sleep Apnea Test/Study
If you suspect you have sleep apnea due to symptoms like loud snoring, choking, or excessive daytime sleepiness, it’s crucial to get tested for an accurate diagnosis. Here are two common testing options:
Home Sleep Tests
Home sleep tests are simple and convenient, allowing you to monitor your sleep in your own bed. You’ll receive a monitoring device from your healthcare provider, which records data like airflow, oxygen levels, heart rate, and breathing patterns while you sleep. Return the device for analysis.
In-Lab Sleep Tests (Polysomnography)
In-lab sleep tests provide comprehensive data about your sleep patterns. Spend a night at a specialized sleep center where experts attach sensors to monitor brain activity, heart rate, and breathing. Continuous data collection offers a detailed picture of your sleep. After the test, specialists analyze the data for diagnosis.
Consult a specialist for the best results and tailor treatments. Early diagnosis improves sleep and well-being. Get tested now. Schedule your consultation and see if you qualify for a free home sleep test today!
Understanding the Impact of an Underdeveloped Airway:
- Increased Snoring: A narrow airway can lead to increased turbulence of airflow during sleep, resulting in louder and more frequent snoring.
- Higher Risk of Sleep Apnea: An underdeveloped airway is a significant risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea. The reduced space for air to flow increases the likelihood of partial or complete airway obstruction during sleep, leading to apnea events where breathing temporarily stops.
- Poor Quality of Life: Snoring and sleep apnea caused by an underdeveloped airway can have far-reaching consequences on one’s quality of life. It can lead to daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and even strained relationships due to the impact on sleep patterns.
10 Ways to Stop Snoring Treatments (Treating the symptoms)
Lifestyle Modifications:
Begin your journey to a snore-free night by making simple lifestyle changes. Maintaining a healthy weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet can reduce excess fat around the neck, which can contribute to snoring.
Avoid alcohol and sedatives before bedtime,
as they relax throat muscles, increasing the likelihood of snoring. Establish a regular sleep schedule to ensure your body gets the rest it needs, and try sleeping on your side instead of your back to prevent your tongue and palate from collapsing to the back of your throat.
Nasal Strips and Sprays:
Over-the-counter nasal strips and nasal sprays can help open nasal passages, reducing snoring caused by nasal congestion. These simple remedies can make a significant difference in your ability to breathe freely during sleep.
Positional Therapy:
Consider positional therapy to encourage sleeping on your side. Special pillows or devices can help you maintain this position throughout the night, reducing the likelihood of snoring.
Oral Appliances:
Dental devices designed to reposition the jaw and tongue can help keep the airway open, reducing snoring. The Vivos System is one such innovative option that offers a customized approach to addressing snoring and sleep apnea.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP):
If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, a CPAP machine can deliver a continuous stream of air to keep the airway open during sleep. While it’s primarily used to treat sleep apnea, it can also effectively reduce snoring associated with the condition.
Stay Hydrated:
Dehydration can lead to stickier throat tissues that are more likely to vibrate. Make a conscious effort to stay well-hydrated throughout the day to keep your throat lubricated.
Avoid Heavy Meals Before Bed:
Eating large, heavy meals close to bedtime can increase the risk of snoring. Try to have dinner at least a few hours before sleeping to allow for proper digestion.
Elevate Your Head:
Elevating your head while sleeping can reduce the likelihood of airway obstruction. You can achieve this by using an extra pillow or an adjustable bed, ensuring that your upper body is slightly elevated.
Practice Good Sleep Hygiene:
Creating a comfortable sleep environment is essential for quality rest. Ensure your bedroom is conducive to sleep by maintaining a cool, dark, and quiet space. Establish a regular sleep schedule to regulate your body’s internal clock, and limit screen time before bedtime to promote relaxation.
Consultation with a specialist if your snoring persists despite trying various remedies, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional or a sleep specialist. They can assess your specific situation, conduct necessary tests, and recommend the most suitable treatment.
Vivos Treatment for Snoring and Sleep Apnea
The Vivos System offers a promising solution for individuals with snoring and sleep apnea related to an underdeveloped airway. This non-invasive oral appliance is designed to address the root causes of these sleep issues by gently expanding and reshaping the upper and lower jaws over a period of time.
How the Vivos Treatment Works:
- Customized Approach: Each Vivos appliance is custom-fitted to the patient’s unique situation, It is a comfortable oral appliance and very effectiveness.
- Gradual Progress: The treatment involves a gradual process of expanding and remodeling the jaw structure. As the airway dimensions improve, snoring is significantly reduced, and the risk of sleep apnea is mitigated.
- Works for All Ages: One of the remarkable aspects of the Vivos treatment is its versatility in treating both children and adults with an underdeveloped airway. By promoting proper jaw development, the system can address sleep-disordered breathing in children, potentially preventing future sleep apnea-related issues. In adults, it offers a path to long-term relief from snoring and sleep apnea.
- Treatment time: Typical treatment time varies from 18 months to 2 years, which is far better than the CPAP alternative of a lifelong protocol.
In Beverly Hills, CA, you can find the best snoring and sleep apnea doctor at Beverly Hills Aesthetic Dentistry, where Dr. Jamielynn Hanam-Jahr offers comprehensive solutions for snoring and sleep apnea. Dr. Hanam-Jahr has a wealth of experience in treating sleep disorders and can provide personalized solutions to help you and your loved ones regain peaceful nights.
By following these 10 steps and seeking professional assistance when needed, you can effectively address snoring and improve your sleep quality in Beverly Hills, CA, and beyond. A good night’s sleep awaits, ensuring you wake up refreshed and ready to embrace the day.
Schedule your consultation and see if you qualify for a free home sleep test today!
Beverly Hills Aesthetic Dentistry
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435 N Bedford Dr #414, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 276-2088
www.mybeverlyhillsdentist.com
The questionnaire has been designed to determine how you are managing you’re sleeping and if it is affecting your daily life.
FAQ’s
Is snoring a cause for concern?
Snoring is more than just a noisy inconvenience; it can be a telltale sign of a Sleep Breathing Disorder (SBD) that warrants serious attention. Approximately 42 million Americans grapple with SBDs, making it a prevalent issue.
One of the most common SBDs is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a medical condition where the airway becomes partially or completely obstructed by the tongue and soft tissues, impeding proper airflow into the lungs. Recognizing the potential gravity of SBDs is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective treatment.
How Common is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is more prevalent than you might think:
- Mild OSA affects 1 in 5 adults.
- 1 in 15 adults experience moderate to severe OSA.
- Approximately 9% of middle-aged women and 25% of middle-aged men suffer from OSA.
What are the health implications of sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea has far-reaching effects on health:
- 70% of heart attack patients have mild OSA.
- Sleep Apnea is present in 86% of obese individuals with type 2 Diabetes.
- Hypertension is found in 43% of patients with mild OSA.
- 48% of individuals with type 2 Diabetes also have Sleep Apnea.
- Drowsy driving leads to about 100,000 car accidents annually.
- Individuals with Sleep Apnea are four times more likely to suffer a stroke.
- Untreated Sleep Apnea can result in memory issues, weight gain, impotence, and headaches.
- Over 20 years, untreated OSA can decrease survivability by 30% or more.
- Drowsy driving contributes to 100,000 car accidents, causing 40,000 injuries and 1,550 deaths each year.
- Roughly 38,000 deaths annually are associated with Sleep Apnea-related cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, hypertension, and stroke.
Is sleep apnea treatment covered by insurance?
The good news is that you can seek reimbursement from your medical insurance company for sleep apnea treatment. However, it’s important to be aware that your medical insurance plan may have certain limits or exclusions on the coverage amount.
