Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is defined by repeated episodes of obstruction of the upper airway. The airway has some points that cause snoring when air enters into the mouth. Snoring and apneas have a significant social, family and personal impact.
On many occasions, it is the companion who indicates the reason for the consultation, due to the discomfort of the noise. In the Snoring vs Sleep Apnea argument, you will know that snoring and apneas are different things, but that they can often be in the same individual.
What is Sleep Apnea and Snoring?
Sleep Apnea and Snoring have some significant differences. Let’s discover their definition.
What Is Snoring?
Snoring indicates partial obstruction of the upper airways (nose and throat) during sleep. This does not represent a health risk, but it can cause personal and social relationships or relationship problems. Snoring has a high incidence, increasing the frequency over the years. It is estimated that 60% of men and 40% of women snore from the age of 60, being three times more frequent in obese people.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is the cessation of air passage for at least 10 seconds. If this is repeated several times throughout sleep, it will lead to a lack of oxygenation and then some symptoms will appear during the day. This is what is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). It is logical to think that not oxygenating well every night will have a series of repercussions on health problems.
The sleep apnea occurs in 24% of men and 9% of women, but only 5-9% of them are diagnosed and treated. Usually, a person who snores may or may not have obstructive sleep apneas. So, all efforts at a medical level should be aimed at detecting sleep apneas. It has been associated with an increase in vehicle and work accidents.
Snoring Vs. Sleep Apnea: Difference Between Snoring And Sleep Apnea
Below, we have discussed the comparison of Snoring vs Sleep Apnea:
- The sleep apnea is almost always snoring as a symptom. Simple snoring does not indicate the relation with sleep apnea.
- Snoring related to sleep apnea occurs mainly during the REM sleep phase. Snoring can occur at all stages of sleep.
- The sleep apnea can be completely silent. Conversely, simple snoring is never completely silent.
- The sleep apnea is treated in most cases with positive pressure ventilation therapy (e.g., CPAP). The snoring is not treated with this type of therapy.
- Sleep apnea syndrome is estimated to affect approximately 45 million Americans. In contrast, snoring affects approximately 90 million Americans.
- Most people with sleep apnea suffer from snoring, whether they realize it or not. When it occurs in apnea, snoring serves as a symptom and not as an episode, a benign event.
Summary
At the end of the Snoring vs Sleep Apnea discussion: you are now sure that the snoring and apnea sleep are different things. They are often in the same individual and affect social, family, and personal levels.
Snoring is loud breathing at night during sleep that is caused by a fatty tissue in the throat. Unlike what happens with apnea, there is no interruption of breathing or awakenings occur.
