My wife has been complaining about the way I snore at night. Lately, because my snores have grown louder, she is afraid that I may have sleep apnea. Is there a difference between snoring and sleep apnea? What are the sleep apnea remedies that I can consider?

First of all, sleep apnea and snoring are two very different things. Snoring is a loud sound that is made while sleeping. Sleep apnea, however, is the stopping of one's breathing. They are not synonymous to each other. Snoring, however, can be a symptom of sleep apnea. Other symptoms include frequent pauses in one's breathing or choking or gasping for breath while one is asleep and sudden awakenings.

Before looking for sleep apnea remedies, perhaps you and your partner should first confirm if you are indeed suffering from sleep apnea by asking her to monitor your breathing while you are asleep. She should look out for repetitive silences or choking sounds while you are asleep. If she observes that you have the other forms of sleep apnea, you can then go to a doctor who can diagnose the severity of your sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea remedies are given based on the severity of the condition. People with mild sleep apnea, for example, are usually asked to go through some behavioral treatments. The recommended sleep apnea remedies in this section can be as easy as losing weight, sleeping on your side instead of your back, regularizing your sleep hours and stopping the use of alcohol, tobacco and sedatives. Some are asked to wear oral devices that can pull the jaw forward, keep the tongue from falling back and raise the soft palate.

People with moderate to severe forms of obstructive sleep apnea, on the other hand, are asked to purchase Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP machines which can prevent sleep apnea by forcing air through the passageway at a high pressure. The air passes through a flexible tube that is connected to a nasal mask or mouthpiece. Sometimes, people who have severe sleep apnea are advised to use a Bi-level or Bi-PAP machine which can release air at two different pressures. This means that the device releases air at a higher pressure when a person inhales and at a lower pressure when a person exhales.

Although the CPAP machine is safe and effective, it can cause discomfort to some people. Surgery is often recommended to people who couldn’t stand using a CPAP machine. This involves removing the excess tissues that may obstruct breathing, changing the structure of the jaw in order to make sure that the tongue will not fall back and block the throat opening or shrinking the inner tissue of the throat, soft palate or throat with the use of radio frequency in order to widen the airway.

Since there are a lot of sleep apnea remedies available, you should consult a doctor in order to find out which one will suit you. Of course, you shouldn’t undergo a procedure as severe as surgery if your condition can actually be resolved by a simple change in your lifestyle. So, go to a sleep doctor before taking any measures.