Most people have probably heard of sleepwalking and night terrors, and possibly sat through a movie or t.v. show where a character is plagued by weird sleep problems, which in turn usually lead to all kinds of shenanigans in the 
middle of the night, all beyond the character's knowledge or control. While not as dramatic as sleep walking or night terrors, chronic snoring, while also rife with comedy gold on t.v. and movie screens, can actually be a symptom of a potentially serious health condition.
Sleep Apnea - Not All Snoring is Created Equal
Sleep apnea is a condition where the signals between the brain and the muscles that control breathing malfunction, causing people to actually stop breathing in their sleep for seconds at a time. The snoring associated with sleep apnea results from the muscles relaxing in the throat. Norwalk, CT based otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor) Dr. Andrew J. Parker diagnoses and treats disorders like sleep apnea, and advises patients to look out for some of the following warning signs:
- Excessive fatigue and exhaustion throughout the day even after a full night's sleep
- Loud chronic snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Insomnia
- Mouth breathing
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Headaches
- Irritability and mood swings
- Depression
- Weight gain
Some of the symptoms or side effects of sleep apnea, which can cause serious problems to a person's physical, emotional, and mental health result from the sleep deprivation associated with the condition. It can take some time for people to realize they are suffering from the condition until someone observes the pauses in breathing while they are asleep, or they seek professional help for their symptoms.
Treatment for Snoring in Norwalk
A little snoring here and there is generally harmless. However, prolonged snoring accompanied by certain symptoms can be a sign of sleep apnea. To learn more about the condition and whether you might be suffering from it, contact Parker Ear, Nose & Throat at 203-866-8121 to request an appointment today.