Snoring is more than just a nuisance—it can be a sign of a serious sleep disorder. While occasional snoring might be harmless, chronic loud snoring can indicate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition where your airway repeatedly collapses or becomes blocked during sleep.
This interruption in breathing reduces oxygen levels, forcing your body to work harder to restore airflow—often resulting in poor sleep quality, daytime fatigue, and serious long-term health risks.
💡 Fact: 80% of moderate-to-severe sleep apnea cases remain undiagnosed.
Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops repeatedly during sleep due to airway obstruction. The most common type is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), where the tongue and soft tissues block the airway, causing snoring, choking, and gasping for air.
✅ Loud Snoring – Often the first warning sign
✅ Choking or Gasping for Air – You may stop breathing in your sleep
✅ Morning Headaches – Caused by low oxygen levels overnight
✅ Dry Mouth or Sore Throat – A sign of disrupted breathing
✅ Daytime Fatigue – Poor sleep leads to exhaustion
✅ Difficulty Concentrating – Brain fog & memory issues
✅ Mood Changes – Linked to anxiety & depression
More than 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, but 80% remain undiagnosed.
Snoring:
✔ Loud noise when breathing during sleep
✔ Can be worsened by sleeping position (back)
✔ No choking or gasping for air
✔ Usually not linked to serious health risks
Sleep Apnea:
🚨 More than just snoring! Watch for these warning signs:
❌ Pauses in breathing while asleep
❌ Gasping or choking for air during the night
❌ Excessive daytime sleepiness, brain fog
❌ Linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke
💡 If your snoring is loud, persistent, and includes choking or gasping, it could be sleep apnea!
Ignoring sleep apnea doesn’t just make you tired—it puts your overall health at risk. Research shows that untreated sleep apnea can contribute to:
Many patients are prescribed CPAP machines for sleep apnea, but nearly 50% of CPAP users stop using them due to:
❌ Mask discomfort
❌ Noise disrupting sleep
❌ Tubing inconvenience
❌ Travel difficulties
💡 Many people struggle with CPAP masks. They’re bulky, loud, and uncomfortable—making it difficult to sleep. That’s why we offer a more comfortable, effective alternative: Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT).
That’s why we offer a comfortable, effective CPAP alternative—Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT).
✔ Custom-fit, FDA-approved oral devices
✔ No masks, tubes, or noisy machines
✔ Travel-friendly & easy to use
Untreated sleep apnea can take up to 10 years off your life. 🚨
It increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even dementia—but the right treatment can restore your health and quality of life.
Please reach us at info@tmjsleepredmond.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Yes! Loud, persistent snoring can indicate a partially blocked airway. If snoring is accompanied by choking, gasping, or daytime fatigue, sleep apnea may be the cause.
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, weight gain, and extreme daytime sleepiness, which increases the risk of accidents.
For mild to moderate sleep apnea, oral appliances are a proven alternative to CPAP. Many patients find them easier to use, more comfortable, and just as effective.
Most medical insurances, including Medicare, cover oral appliances for sleep apnea. Our team will verify your benefits and handle the approval process.
Yes! While snoring is a common symptom, some people with sleep apnea don’t snore at all—especially women and younger adults. Other signs, like waking up tired, morning headaches, and difficulty concentrating, may indicate undiagnosed sleep apnea.
Weight can be a factor, but it’s not the only cause of sleep apnea. Thin individuals, athletes, and even children can develop sleep apnea due to jaw structure, airway size, or muscle tone.
While weight loss may help reduce symptoms, many patients still need oral appliance therapy or other treatments to fully resolve their sleep apnea.
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