Is it just Snoring or is it Sleep Apnea?

From Dr. Norman Blumenstock:
Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and not everyone who has sleep apnea snores.

Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. So
how do you tell the difference between normal snoring and a more serious case of sleep apnea?

The biggest telltale sign is how you feel during the day. Normal snoring doesn’t interfere with
the quality of your sleep as much as sleep apnea does, so you’re less likely to suffer from
extreme fatigue and sleepiness during the day.

Even if you don’t have sleep apnea, a snoring problem can get in the way of your bed partner’s
rest and affect your own sleep quality and health. But there are plenty of tips and treatments
that can help.

The following strategies can help you decipher the symptoms:
Keep a sleep diary – Record how many hours you’re spending in bed, any nighttime awakenings,
and whether you feel refreshed in the morning. Ask your sleep partner to keep track of your
snoring, including how loud and frequent it is. Also ask him or her to note any gasping, choking, or
other unusual sounds.

Record yourself sleeping – Taking a video or audio recording of yourself while you sleep can
be very informative and revealing. You can use a sound-activated audio recorder, a video camera,
or software that turns your computer into a recorder.


Originally Published at:  http://www.mdadvice.com/blog/2013/12/25/is-it-just-snoring-or-is-it-sleep-apnea/

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