Should You Contact A Snoring Doctor?
There is no doctor specifically for snoring but you can consult with your eye, ear and nose doctor for cures. Oftentimes, there are doctors that are snoring specialists and also sleep apnea doctors. You should only contact your doctor about snoring if you or someone else is having trouble sleeping because of it.
Why To Contact Your Doctor About Snoring
When you're calling to make an appointment with your doctor for your snoring problem, be sure to tell him or her that it is about snoring so they can schedule the adequate amount of time needed. Although snoring is common among adults and is usually not a sign of any disorder, this is not always the case. Sometimes snoring can be a symptom of a serious disorder called sleep apnea- this means that while you are sleeping you have periods of more than ten seconds where you're not breathing.
During an apnea episode, there is a long period of silence just before you start to snore. This is followed by a sudden gasp when you start to breathe again. If you are suffering from sleep apnea, this cycle will happen multiple times during the night. Risks associated with sleep apnea are strokes, irregular heartbeat and heart attacks due to lack of oxygen. The doctor overlooking your snoring problem can tell you whether or not you're suffering from sleep apnea with a sleep study.
How To Know When To Call Your Doctor About Snoring
There are certain ways to reduce snoring if it is nothing serious such as losing weight if you're overweight, avoiding alcohol and tranquilizers before bed, allergy medicine and not sleeping on your back. Then there are little cures like drinking half a cup of milk before bed or having a couple of sips of olive oil. However, you have to know when it is time to contact your doctor regarding snoring.
Contact your doctor right away if you wake up during the night confused or not knowing where you are. If you have excessive drowsiness during the day, headaches in the morning, awakening in the morning not feeling rested or a change in your level of attention, concentration or memory. Also contact your doctor if you have episodes of no breathing- sleep apnea- but your partner or roommate may need to inform you if this occurs.
Children that have chronic snoring problems will also be evaluated for sleep apnea because it has been linked to growth problems, ADHD, poor performance in school, learning difficulties, bedwetting and high blood pressure. Most children who have a snoring problem do not have sleep apnea but it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Don't mess around with your health. Contact your doctor if your snoring is concerning you or a loved one. Even if it is not as serious as sleep apnea, it may just disturb your sleep or make you wake up in the middle of the night. Not to mention, if you're sleeping in the same room as someone else, you are also disturbing them. At the least, your doctor can suggest snoring remedies for you to reduce the problem.
