Snoring isn’t just an annoyance. It can have considerable health consequences. Marcos Ortega DDS in San Diego can help.
What is Snoring?
Snoring is caused by an an airway obstruction in the throat or nasal cavity. The obstruction can be caused by:
- Poor muscle tone in the throat and tongue—when muscles relax they can collapse onto the airway. Alcohol use and sleeping pills can make this more likely.
- Thick throat tissue—Excess weight can be a contributing factor.
- Swollen tonsils and adenoids—Most common in children.
- Long uvula or soft palate
- Nasal congestion
- Deviated septum
Some people who snore may have a condition called sleep apnea—a potentially health-threatening condition in which your breathing lapses while you are snoozing. This can occur hundreds of times at night.
If your snoring keeps your bed partner from sleeping, their health is also affected. Failure to get enough quality sleep contributes to a host of physical and mental conditions. You’ve probably had difficulty concentrating when you haven’t gotten enough sleep. Did you know that can limit a person’s motor function and reaction time as seriously as intoxication?
Other possible health problems related to insufficient sleep include heart disease, obesity, depression, and diabetes.
If you think you might be suffering from sleep apnea, or just want to reduce snoring, schedule a visit to our San Diego dentist office today. We help patients throughout Hillcrest and Mission Hills!We also offer general dentistry as well as cosmetic dentistry services.
Contact Marcos Ortega DDS:
619-295-4545
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
306 Walnut Ave Ste 25
San Diego, California
92103