Do you snore? If so, are you aware of the potential risks associated with snoring? Snoring can not only be disruptive to your sleep but can also cause a sore throat. There is a relationship between snoring and a sore throat. Don’t stress, though. There are ways to reduce or eliminate snoring altogether. Let’s talk about it!
What happens when you get a sore throat?
A sore throat or throat pain can cause discomfort and make swallowing difficult. This can last anywhere from a day to two weeks. Most sore throats are caused by viral infections, such as the common cold or flu. Other causes include bacterial infections (e.g., strep throat), allergies, dry air, or smoking cigarettes which can irritate your esophagus lining, making it inflamed and swollen, causing pain when swallowing.
How can snoring contribute to throat pain?
An obstruction in the upper airway causes snoring during sleep. This may cause mouth breathing, morning headaches, and a sore throat. When there’s not enough oxygen getting through your brain, you wake up gasping for breath. If left untreated over time, these repeated episodes may lead to other health problems such as type II diabetes due to lack of oxygen or high blood pressure.
The reason people snore can be caused by several different factors, including sleep disorders like sleep apnea (i.e., some temporarily stop breathing), allergies, weight gain, or even just getting older.
If any of these factors are causing your snoring, even though there may not seem like much can help right now, reducing that particular trigger could make all the difference when it comes time for bed each night.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea can be caused by many different factors, including weight gain or even just getting older. A person with sleep apnea will experience breathing pauses while sleeping, which can last anywhere from five seconds up to thirty seconds (or longer). This can cause their body not to get enough oxygen at night time, leading them to wake and gasp for breath.
They may also wake several times throughout the night due to these pauses in breathing. When you don’t get a good night’s sleep, this can affect your mood, focus, and concentration during the day. Someone with sleep apnea may feel tired all of the time. Any serious sleep disorder that disrupts your sleep should be addressed with your doctor.
Snoring and sleep apnea can go hand in hand. It can be detected through a sleep study. Sleep studies are conducted by a sleep specialist who monitors you while you sleep. Often these tests can be done at home. They can measure your vitals and breathing when snoring occurs to determine what the root cause is. Sleep apnea can be alleviated with the use of a continuous positive airway pressure, CPAP, machine.
Ways to Reduce or Eliminate Snoring
There are many different ways that can help reduce the amount you snore. Some of these include:
Losing Weight
If you are overweight, losing weight and eating a healthier diet can be beneficial. The excess weight can lead to obstructive sleep apnea-related symptoms such as headaches, fatigue during the day due to lack of oxygen at night (thus being unable to concentrate or stay alert while awake), and inability to focus.
Quit Smoking
If you smoke cigarettes, one of the best things you can do for your overall health (and to stop yourself from snoring) is to quit smoking. Cigarette smoke can irritate your throat and nasal passages, making it more difficult to breathe, which can lead to snoring. Not only that, but smoking can also increase your risk of developing other health problems such as lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
Change Your Sleep Position
If you find that you’re a back-sleeper and tend to snore when sleeping on your back, try switching to sleeping on your side instead. This can help keep your airways open as you sleep. You can also elevate your head with a pillow (or two) to prevent the tongue and other tissues from blocking the upper airway during restful times.
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)
If your snoring is caused by obstructive sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend using a CPAP machine. This device delivers pressurized air through a mask that you wear during sleep which helps keep your airways open. Not everyone needs to use CPAP therapy, and it can take some time to get used to wearing the mask, but it can be a very effective way to reduce snoring and improve your sleep quality.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol can make people feel drowsy and cause the throat muscles to be more relaxed, which can lead to snoring and other sleep issues. If you find that alcohol makes it harder for you to fall asleep, try cutting back or stopping altogether. You can also avoid drinking anything caffeinated too close before bedtime since this can have similar effects on some people.
Use a Dehumidifier
Humidity levels in the room can cause specific allergies or irritants that may contribute to snoring, so using a humidifier can be helpful if you suffer from these issues. A humidifier can help add moisture to the air and keep the environment in your bedroom more comfortable.
Nasal Obstructive Remedies
If you have a stuffy nose, using a nasal congestion remedy can help to open up your airways and make it easier for you to breathe. Many over-the-counter remedies can be purchased without a prescription that can help with this.
Surgery
Surgery can be an option if the problem is related to your soft palate or uvula. If you have tried all of these methods and find that nothing seems effective, you may need to consider surgery before making a final decision about what is best for you.
Oral Appliances
If you find that you are snoring and waking up with a sore throat regularly, it might be worth paying a visit to your dentist. They can often help you determine if there is an obstruction in your nasal passages or throat leading to snoring.
Oral appliances can also help keep your airways open while you sleep. They can be a good alternative if you don’t want to undergo surgery or can’t because of other health-related reasons. You can speak with your dentist about the different types of oral appliances available and see if one might be a good fit for you.
Visit a Dentist to Help Reduce Snoring
Can snoring cause a sore throat? Absolutely! If you can’t seem to stop snoring on your own, talk to your dentist about your options. Your dentist can help figure out what is causing the problem and make suggestions to rede or eliminate it.
Contact the experts at Houston Biological Dentist today and see how we can help. Dr. Jones and our team of specialists are available to reduce loud snoring, reduce sleep apnea symptoms, relieve your sore throat, and get you sufficient sleep. Check us out!
