Snoring Specialist
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Sheridan Ear, Nose & Throat
Scott N. Bateman, MD
Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor & Allergy Specialist located in Sheridan, WY
Does snoring keep you or your partner from getting a good night’s rest? Don’t accept loud or disruptive snoring as inevitable when otolaryngologist Scott Bateman, MD, of Sheridan Ear, Nose & Throat in Sheridan, Wyoming, can offer assistance. Dr. Bateman provides treatments that can address snoring and its underlying cause, getting you back on track to a great night’s sleep. The process begins with a quick phone call or a few moments on the online scheduling page.
Snoring Q & A
What causes snoring?
Virtually everyone snores at one point or another, but for some men and women, snoring can become a severe health issue. Some of the factors that can contribute to snoring include:
- Alcohol consumption
- Your unique mouth anatomy
- Sleep deprivation
- Sleep positioning
- Nasal problems like chronic congestion or a deviated septum
The most common cause of snoring, however, is a condition known as obstructive sleep apnea.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by frequent pauses in breathing during sleep. One type, called central sleep apnea, occurs when your brain and body aren’t correctly communicating the signals that direct the muscles that control breathing.
Obstructive sleep apnea is far more common and occurs when the muscles in your throat relax and block your airway. When this happens, your body is deprived of oxygen and needs to gasp or take in air rapidly to make up for the lack of oxygen. That process wakes you up, sometimes hundreds of times a night.
Some signs that you might have sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring
- Irritability
- Dry mouth upon waking
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Daytime brain fog
Sometimes the best indicator that you have sleep apnea is the feedback you receive from your sleep partner. In this situation, your partner may suffer from a lack of sleep due to symptoms of your condition.
What can be done to treat sleep apnea?
Dr. Bateman begins by testing to determine if sleep apnea is the source of your symptoms. If so, he creates a customized treatment plan to help you find relief.
A continuous positive airway pressure machine, or CPAP, can help you breathe freely during the night. With a CPAP, you need to wear a small mask while you sleep, but there are several options available to help you find a comfortable fit.
Oral appliances can change the way your jaw and tongue rest during sleep, which can improve airflow in and out of your lungs. Lifestyle modifications, such as improving your diet and exercise habits and reducing stress, can also go a long way toward improving your symptoms.
Dr. Bateman also offers counseling for sleep apnea and its related frustrations. In some cases, surgery is the best way to treat sleep apnea—primarily if tissue abnormalities cause the problem.
The path to better sleep begins by booking an appointment online or over the phone with Sheridan Ear, Nose & Throat. Some treatments can lessen your snoring and help you get the rest you need to thrive.
