Do you snore? Chronic snoring can leave both you and your partner sleep deprived and irritable. In some cases, snoring may even be a symptom of a more serious sleep disorder. Your Astoria NY dentist, Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, can diagnose the cause of your snoring and recommend comfortable and minimally invasive treatment options.
Stop Snoring Quiz
1. True or False: Snoring isn’t related to OSA.
2. True or False: Sleep apnea increases the risk of serious health issues.
3. True or False: There are multiple symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.
4. True or False: Your Astoria NY dentist offers treatment for snoring and sleep apnea symptoms.
Answer Key
1. False. Often, snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea. Snoring occurs when airflow is partially blocked by soft tissue. When air is forced through, the tissue vibrates, causing the sound we associate with snoring. Obstructive sleep apnea develops when airflow is completely blocked, depriving the brain of oxygen. The brain then wakes the patient up, starting a wake and sleep cycle that can happen hundreds of times a night.
2. True. Patients with untreated sleep apnea experience an increased risk of depression, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack.
3. True. In addition to chronic snoring, patients with sleep apnea may report waking up gasping for air or choking, an inability to focus at work or school, and daytime drowsiness.
4. True. First, your Astoria NY dentist will diagnose the cause and extent of your snoring. In some cases, simple lifestyle changes are enough to stop snoring, including weight loss, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed. For more severe cases, Dr. Leibowitz may recommend an oral appliance. The device appears similar to a night guard and is worn during sleep. The appliance moves the jaw forward to open airways and allow easy breathing, reducing snoring and sleep apnea symptoms.
About Dr. Leibowitz:
Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, a native New Yorker, has served patients and families from Astoria, Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and all surrounding communities since opening his dental practice in 1991. To schedule an appointment at our Astoria dentist’s office, contact us at (718) 728-8320 today.
