How Common Is Snoring?
Submitted by New Jersey Snoring Solutions on Sat 08/27/2022 - 09:00
Do you snore? While it may be annoying for anyone you share a bed or bedroom with — and while you personally may find it embarrassing — you are hardly alone in snoring. At New Jersey Sleep Apnea Solutions, Dr. Ivan Stein and Dr. Allan Stein meet with many patients who are worried that their snoring might not be normal. To help educate you, the dentists offer the following information on snoring.
The Rates at Which People Snore
Snoring is a normal part of life for many Americans. To better understand the statistics, a distinction should be made between occasional and habitual snoring. Nearly half of adults — an estimated 45% — snore from time to time, while about one in four people snore on a nightly (or nearly nightly) basis.
Breaking down the numbers further, men are about 1.5 times more likely to snore than women. Moreover, while it is true that people are more likely to start snoring as they get older (due to age-related relaxation of the tongue and throat muscles), even kids snore.
How to Know Whether Your Snoring Is “Normal”
The tricky part for many people is determining whether their snoring is normal or indicative of a more serious health problem.
First, it helps to know some of the most common causes of snoring. Allergies, colds and sinus infections can impede the airway and cause snoring. Drinking alcohol can have a similar effect. Even one’s sleep position can play a role — the throat narrows more in people who lie on their back in bed.
However, about 6% of American adults have obstructive sleep apnea, a much more serious problem that warrants intervention. During the night, the breathing of a person with sleep apnea starts and stops. Since people do not notice this while asleep, the signs they should look for are waking up repeatedly during the night and excessive daytime fatigue. It can also cause headaches in the morning, irritability and difficulty concentrating.
If You Have Ongoing Concerns, Seek Help from Professionals
Dr. Ivan Stein and Dr. Allan Stein are experts in diagnosing and treating obstructive sleep apnea. If you are worried that your snoring may be indicative of a problem and want a formal diagnosis, our team can set you up with a sleep specialist and then devise a treatment plan that corresponds with the findings. Trust us when we say that life gets so much better once chronic snoring has been addressed! To schedule a consultation with our dentists in West Orange, please call (855) 949-7667.
