Snoring is a condition millions of people suffer from and sometimes do not even know it. While it may seem like a harmless annoyance, especially for someone’s spouse or partner, it can have serious health consequences. Here at Clint Bruyere, D.D.S., Dr. Clint Bruyere, and his team diligently help patients with sleep-disordered breathing find relief by resting healthier and easier.

Sleep-Disordered Breathing: How Snoring Works

The condition is caused by air flowing through a restricted area, creating an often-loud vibration. This occurs when specific muscles are weakened, causing the tongue to block your airway or there’s too much soft tissue inhibiting airflow in your airway.

Sleep Apnea

You may also temporarily stop breathing in your sleep, a condition known as sleep apnea, which occurs when your airway is totally blocked. The blockage usually only lasts for a few seconds and is called an apneic event. When these events occur, your blood’s oxygenation level drops, and your organs are deprived of oxygen. Once your brain registers the problem, it sends distress signals to take you out of deep sleep until your airflow is restored.

These events can happen several times per hour, and you might not be fully awake while experiencing an apneic event. However, your heart rate and blood pressure will spike as your body tries to restore oxygen. Your lungs are also working harder during this time, which may cause snoring or loud gasping.

A few signs of sleep apnea include:

• snoring
• morning headaches
• sleepiness during waking hours
• waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
• stop breathing in your sleep

Diagnosing and Treating Sleep Apnea

Medical professionals like Dr. Bruyere can only diagnose sleep apnea after a patient undergoes sleep studies. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, several treatment options are available. The most common treatment is for the patient to use a CPAP device that uses a mask worn over your nose (and sometimes mouth) to force pressurized oxygen into your airways to keep them open. However, some people find these devices very uncomfortable, so they discontinue wearing them. There are also various dental appliances a patient can wear to help keep their airway open while reducing sleep apnea’s impact on their health.

Learn More About How to Combat Disordered Breathing

Contact Clint Bruyere, D.D.S., and make your appointment to meet with Dr. Bruyere. Together we can find the proper treatment to help you breathe easier during sleep. Our number is (903) 708-6116. Our office is located at 444 Forest Square, Suite G, Longview, Texas 75605.

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