We spend a third of our lives sleeping. So it’s wise to make sure you get high-quality sleep. Snoring can put a dent in your sleep quality and plague you with negative symptoms during the day. What type of snorer are you? Become educated on when to see a snoring specialist and book an appointment with an ENT doctor near you.
Type of Snoring
Many Americans snore at least a little bit. Around 40 percent of men and 30 percent of women snore. It’s not abnormal to breathe more heavily when you’re asleep, especially if you sleep with your mouth open.
But if you wake up during the night due to your snoring, it could be depriving your brain of oxygen. Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing in your sleep for several seconds at a time. You wake up just to breathe when you have this condition! If excessive snoring causes you to lose sleep, it’s time to talk to your doctor.
Cause of Snoring
What does your bedtime routine look like? Some habits may exacerbate your snoring. For example, sedatives and alcoholic beverages may knock you out. However, they can also make your snoring louder.
If you struggle with seasonal allergies, your snoring may act up when you expose yourself to allergens all day. Talk to your allergist about your snoring and work with them on a solution that will help you (and your sleeping partner, if you have one) sleep more soundly.
Severity of Snoring
You’ll be able to gauge this better if you share your bed with another person. Are you waking them up in the middle of the night regularly? Some nights can be better than others. If you’re fighting a sinus infection, your snoring may become a little louder.
However, if you snore like a chainsaw every single night, there could be something obstructing your airways. Swollen or blocked nasal passages make breathing more laborious. Consult a nearby snoring specialist. They can take a closer look at your sinuses and check for blockages.
If you have concerns about your snoring at night, call a snoring specialist near you and get checked out even if you don’t think it’s life-threatening. Allergy & ENT Associates has specialists who know how snoring works and how to combat it. If you often wake up wondering when to see a snoring specialist, that time may be now.