ANCSLEEP BLOG

Socially unacceptable snoring is a term for very loud snoring that is often so disruptive, you end up being the butt of your family's jokes. Socially unacceptable snoring is not only disruptive to the whole household, but my indicate a more serious underlying disorder. If your loud snoring requires your bed partners to wear earphones, happens consistently every night, and can be heard throughout the house, then it's not just a "quirky trait".

While socially unacceptable snoring may lead to humor or frustration among friends and family, it is crucial to recognize that it could signify a more significant issue for the snorer. It is not just an inconvenience for the bed partner; it is often a primary symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a serious sleep disorder with potential health implications.

Understanding the distinctions between socially unacceptable snoring and potential OSA-related snoring is vital. Identifying the underlying cause of chronic snoring is the initial step towards addressing any health concerns.

Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by frequent pauses in breathing during the night, ranging from 40-100+ times. These interruptions in breathing cause temporary awakenings to resume breathing, disrupting your sleep without you even realizing in the morning.

There are three types of sleep apnea:

1. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) - An obstruction in your airway hinders your ability to breathe, as the back of your throat collapses and blocks the passage of air.
2. Central sleep apnea (CSA) – the brain fails to transmit accurate signals to the muscles responsible for regulating breathing.
3. Complex sleep apnea – you exhibit traits of both OSA and CSA. 

Over time, sleep deprivation caused by sleep apnea can shorten overall life expectancy, lower overall life quality, and initiate or worsen other medical conditions. Therefore, identifying risks for OSA is important for prevention or improvement of OSA symptoms.