Snoring Without Sleep Apnea: When Is It Just Snoring or Something More?

Snoring is the sound that is made when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing the tissues to vibrate as you sleep. If you snore, you are most likely aware that you are not alone. It is a very common, usually harmless condition that can affect most people at some point in their lives. 

It is thought to affect between 25% and 45% of the adult population regularly. It is more common in men and seems to increase with age. There are many factors that cause snoring, and it is not always related to a medical condition; rather, it is mostly associated with tiredness. 

Sometimes, snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is when there are pauses in breathing and is often characterised by loud snoring.  In this article, we will help you distinguish between harmless snoring and sleep apnea. 

By understanding the difference between the two you will know when you need to seek medical attention, helping to maintain good health and well-being and preventing further complications in the future. 

Understanding Snoring and Its Common Causes

Snoring can be caused by a number of different factors. It often occurs when you progress from light sleep to a deep sleep. The muscles in your mouth relax, and this can partially block your airways. As the airways narrow, the airflow becomes more forceful, causing tissue vibration which is characterised by the sound of snoring. 

One of the most common causes of snoring is the obstruction of the airways. This could be due to nasal congestion from allergies or a cold,  chronic nasal congestion, or a deviated nasal septum. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids also cause the narrowing of the airways, causing the tissues to vibrate as air passes through.

Obesity is another common cause of snoring. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to snore or suffer from sleep apnea. This is because excess fat around the neck and the throat causes a narrowing of the airway. Extra fat puts pressure on the airway, making it more likely to collapse during sleep, as seen in sleep apnea. 

Also, the overall anatomy of the mouth and sinuses, such as a low, thick soft palate or an elongated uvula, can narrow the airway and increase the likelihood of snoring. 

Your sleeping position can cause you to snore. Lying on your back causes your airway to narrow because of the effect of gravity and this often causes the most frequent and loudest snoring compared to other positions. 

Lifestyle choices such as smoking and alcohol consumption can cause snoring. Smoking can cause inflammation in the throat tissues, resulting in nasal congestion and airway obstruction. Alcohol can cause excessive relaxation of the throat muscles, which again narrows the airway and causes snoring.

Is Snoring Always a Problem?

Although snoring can be a nuisance, it is not always a problem. Occasional snoring, especially when you are sick, overly tired, or experiencing seasonal allergies, is relatively common and often goes away by itself. However, If you snore regularly and notice other symptoms that affect you during the day, it could be a cause for concern. 

Symptoms such as daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, morning headaches, or witnessed breathing pauses during sleep may be a result of sleep apnea.

If you snore occasionally, then consider lifestyle changes, for example, maintaining a healthier diet and changing your sleeping position. If you suffer from nasal congestion, then you can try over-the-counter saline sprays to help clear your Airways before you go to sleep. If this is an ongoing problem, you can speak to your doctor, who will prescribe any necessary medication to help clear the congestion. Once the congestion is cleared, your snoring should subside. 

However, it is important to distinguish between simple snoring and symptoms of sleep apnea or other health issues.

Snoring vs. Sleep Apnea: Key Differences

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which your breathing stops and starts whilst you sleep. If left untreated, it can have significant long-term effects. There are three main types, which are obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), and complex sleep apnea syndrome. 

OSA is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the airway collapses whilst you sleep, causing pauses in breathing. This can result in loud snoring, gasping, or choking as the body attempts to resume normal breathing. It affects the quality of sleep and can result in tiredness and drowsiness throughout the day. Although snoring is one of the most common signs of sleep apnea, not all patients with sleep apnea snore. 

CSA occurs when the brain temporarily stops sending signals to the muscles that control breathing. This results in pauses in breathing, which typically last 10 to 30 seconds at a time. It is less common than OSA and often related to other conditions such as neuromuscular diseases or heart failure. The intensity of snoring in patients with CSA is less in comparison to patients with OSA as the airways are not usually blocked or constricted as in OSA.

Indicators That Snoring Might Be More Than Simple Nose Noises

Although snoring is not always indicative of sleep apnea, there are certain signs to look out for. One of the key signs of sleep apnea is loud and persistent snoring, particularly if interrupted by pauses in breathing, gasping, or choking sounds. A sleeping partner may be able to alert you to this. 

Another sign that you may be suffering from sleep apnea is if you feel tired or drowsy during the day, even after a full night's sleep. This is because sleep apnea affects the quality of your sleep rather than the quantity. Your body may not get the rest that it requires, and this can affect you the next day. 

Other common symptoms include morning headaches, dry mouth, or sore throat upon waking. Some patients experience restlessness and frequent nighttime interruptions. If you have unstable blood pressure or blood sugar levels, this could also signify that snoring is related to sleep apnea.

If you are suffering from these symptoms, then you need to speak to your doctor or health care professional. They will be able to assess the severity of your symptoms and correctly diagnose whether or not your snoring is a cause for concern.

When to See a Doctor for Snoring

If your snoring is loud and persistent enough to disrupt your sleep or your partner's sleep, then you may need to speak to the doctor.

First, you should change the position in which you sleep. If you find that you snore whichever position you sleep in, this may suggest a medical condition. Symptoms such as pauses in breathing, tiredness and drowsiness during the day, and uncontrolled blood pressure or sugar levels are highly indicative of sleep apnea, and again, it is important that you speak to your doctor.

The volume of your snoring often correlates with the severity of OSA,  whereas in patients with CSA it is not as obvious.

What Can You Expect From a Consultation?

Your doctor will carry out a thorough examination of your nose, mouth, and throat, using a fiberoptic scope to identify any anatomical causes of snoring. They will ask about the frequency and volume of your snoring as well as any other associated symptoms. 

A sleep study, or polysomnography (PSG), may be recommended to analyse your sleep patterns and confirm if you have sleep apnea. This can be carried out in the comfort of your own home or in a sleep centre to measure breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and the number of apnea or hypopnea episodes per hour of sleep.

If necessary, your doctor will refer you to a specialist, such as an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist), for further evaluation. Blood tests and other diagnostics may be carried out to investigate your symptoms further. 

By keeping a sleep diary and speaking to your sleeping partner you will have a better insight of your symptoms and be able to discuss this with your doctor more accurately. This will enable your doctor to provide a more precise diagnosis and treatment plan.

Conclusion

Snoring commonly affects a significant percentage of the adult population, however, it is important to be able to distinguish the difference between simple snoring and sleep apnea. Simple snoring occurs occasionally and is often a result of tiredness or congestion, which subsides by itself. 

Persistent loud snoring can be indicative of sleep apnea, particularly if accompanied by other symptoms such as tiredness and drowsiness throughout the day. If you snore persistently and loudly, then it is important to speak to your doctor and find out if there could be any underlying issues.

By taking proactive steps to address snoring and potential sleep apnea, you can improve your overall health and well-being and prevent complications in the future.