Snoring every night? When it might be sleep apnea

Plenty of people snore now and then. But nightly, loud snoring, especially with gasping or pauses in breathing, can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that affects your health well beyond a noisy bedroom.

What happens during sleep apnea

When you fall asleep, the muscles in your throat relax. In obstructive sleep apnea, the airway narrows or closes again and again through the night. Each time, your breathing pauses until your brain wakes you just enough to start again, often without you remembering it.

Signs worth paying attention to

• Someone has noticed you stop breathing, choke or gasp in your sleep
• You wake up tired even after a full night in bed
• Morning headaches or a very dry mouth
• Dozing off while reading, watching TV or driving
• Getting up to use the bathroom several times a night
• High blood pressure

None of these alone means you have sleep apnea, but together they're a good reason to talk to your physician.

How it's diagnosed

Only a sleep study can diagnose sleep apnea. Today many people can do one at home with a small monitor. Your physician reviews the results and tells you whether you have sleep apnea and how severe it is.

Where a dentist can help

CPAP is a common treatment, but many people find the mask hard to live with. For adults with snoring or mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, a custom oral appliance is another option. It looks like a slim mouthguard and gently holds the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open.

A dentist trained in sleep medicine checks that your teeth, gums and jaw are healthy enough for an appliance, makes and fits it, and adjusts it over time, working alongside your physician.

If you feel drowsy while driving, pull over somewhere safe and get checked before driving again.