Snoring Isn’t Just Annoying: It Could Be Your Body’s Cry for Help 

 By Dr. Shawn Wallace, Amherst Family Practice of Southern NH Health, your nonprofit health partner  

Snoring might seem like a harmless nuisance. But it could be a clue that your body needs help. 

What Is Sleep Apnea? 

Sleep apnea is when breathing stops or gets very weak while you sleep. In the most common kind, called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), your throat muscles relax too much and block the airway. That means air can't get in, and your body wakes up briefly to breathe again. These stops can happen many times during the night. 

Why Waking Up Matters  

When you wake up again and again to breathe, you miss out on deep, restful sleep. That leaves you feeling tired during the day. You might have trouble paying attention in school or at work, and you might fall asleep at the wrong time. 

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea 

The signs of sleep apnea can be subtle. In many cases, your bed partner may notice the problem before you do. Common symptoms include: 

• Breathing pauses while asleep 
• Loud snoring or gasping for air at night 
• Restless sleep or frequent awakenings 
• Waking up short of breath or with a dry mouth 
• Night sweats 
• Morning headaches 
• Feeling very tired during the day 
• Mood changes, such as irritability, anxiety, or depression 

Sleep Apnea Has Bigger Risks Than Just Snoring and Being Tired 

Without treatment, sleep apnea can lead to bigger health problems. It may raise the chance of: 

• High blood pressure (link to article in development) 
• Heart problems 
• Stroke 
• Diabetes 

Snoring Isn’t the Full Story 

Snoring is a clue that sleep apnea could be there, but for many people, especially women, quiet signs are easy to miss. Sufferers might feel tired, lose focus, or feel sad or moody, but have little snoring. Because of that, up to 90% of women with sleep apnea don’t know they have it. 

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

Doctors can check for sleep apnea by having you do a sleep study. It may be done at home or in a sleep center. The study records breathing, heart rate, oxygen levels, and brain waves. 

One way to measure the seriousness of sleep apnea is the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). It counts the number of breathing pauses per hour. 

How Sleep Apnea Is Treated 

• CPAP therapy: A mask delivers steady air pressure to keep the airway open while you sleep. It’s the most common treatment, and for most people, it works well, though it can feel strange at first. 
• Lifestyle changes: Losing weight, quitting smoking, treating allergy symptoms or changing sleep position can help, especially in milder cases. 
• Oral appliances: Custom-made devices, like mouthguards, can move your lower jaw forward. That helps open the airway. These are often used for mild cases or if CPAP doesn’t work for you. 
• Other options: In serious cases, surgery or a nerve stimulator may be needed. 

Medication Option for Treatment of Sleep Apnea 

Recently, a drug called Zepbound (tirzepatide) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat moderate-to-severe sleep apnea in adults with obesity. It helps if weight is a big part of the problem, but it’s not a fix for everyone. Sleep apnea can also happen because of jaw shape or airway structure. 

Don’t Ignore the Snore!  

If you or someone who sleeps near you notices snoring, stopping breathing, daytime sleepiness, mood changes, or trouble focusing, talk to your doctor. Sleep apnea is treatable. Getting the right help can restore sleep and protect your health. 

If you think you may have sleep apnea, don’t ignore the signs. Talk with your doctor to get the right testing and treatment. Getting help can improve your sleep, energy, and overall health. The team at Amherst Family Practice of Southern New Hampshire Health, a dedicated nonprofit healthcare system in Amherst, NH, is here to answer your questions and guide you to the care you need. 

 Dr. Shawn Wallace is a board-certified family physician at Amherst Family Practice in Amherst, New Hampshire. Dr. Wallace enjoys the variety family medicine offers, from diagnosing and treating to helping patients of all ages prevent illness before it starts.