Sometimes a partner wakes up night after night disrupted by deep, loud snoring and finally insists their loved one participates in a sleep study, which leads to the diagnosis of sleep apnea. Not all who snore have sleep apnea, but it’s often a hallmark of this common sleep disorder. Treatment for sleep apnea includes the use of a CPAP machine, which should eliminate or reduce CPAP snoring solutions. If your partner or you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are still snoring with CPAP therapy, there may be an issue with how your CPAP equipment is functioning.
Snoring happens when the flow of air through the nose and mouth is physically blocked. Airway obstruction can be caused by the following (which isn’t comprehensive):
- Long soft palate or uvula
- Poor muscle tone in the tongue or throat
- Obstructed nasal airways
- Bulky throat tissue
Snoring with CPAP treatment could indicate an issue with your sleep therapy set-up. You can explore the at-home fixes below or talk with your primary care physician about solutions to stop snoring.
Is It Normal to Still Snore While Using a CPAP Machine?
Still snoring with CPAP is not normal. CPAP stops snoring by delivering a constant flow of continuous positive airway pressure to your upper airway, which prevents the soft palate, uvula, and tongue from shifting into the airway and reduces the vibration that creates the sound of snoring.
If you are still snoring while using CPAP equipment after several days, connect with your primary care physician or sleep, care provider. Do not make adjustments to your CPAP settings on your own.
Does CPAP Therapy Reduce Snoring?
You may be wondering, “Does a CPAP machine stop snoring?” In short, yes! Sleep therapy can reduce snoring, but it may not completely stop it due to other causes. A CPAP machine uses continuous positive airway pressure to keep the throat open throughout the night, reducing breathing events and preventing apneic events.
Does Everyone With Sleep Apnea Snore?
CPAP snoring solutions
On the basis of various observations by leading sleep therapists. Around 40% percent of adults snore and 25% are habitual snorers; in people with sleep apnea, snoring occurs in 85% to 98% of adults. A variety of factors that may or may not be related to sleep apnea can cause snoring.
To help prevent snoring, try sleeping on your back, and avoiding alcohol or heavy meals before bedtime. However, if you have sleep apnea, using a CPAP machine may be the only way to notice a difference in your snoring, as perceived by you or your partner.
Minimize snoring by losing weight, treating nasal congestion, elevating your head while sleeping, avoiding smoking, and staying hydrated. However, people with sleep apnea who snore should not rely on these tactics to treat their sleep apnea. More pillows and quitting smoking can help prevent some snoring, but they are not considered as sleep apnea treatments.
Why Is It Bad to Snore While Sleeping?
Snoring causes sleep disruptions which can lead to irritability, daytime sleepiness, poor cognitive function, depression, lower sex drive, weakened immunity, and potentially some life-threatening conditions like hypertension, diabetes, stroke, heart attack, or heart failure.
Correcting snoring with CPAP treatment and other steps, like refraining from alcohol and cigarette use, can help you and your get better sleep. Getting adequate sleep helps reduce stress and illness, improves your mood, and can lower your risk for serious health conditions.
Top Four Reasons You May Be Still Snoring With CPAP — and How to Stop
There are several reasons you may be still snoring with CPAP:
- Your pressure settings may need to be adjusted (never make adjustments without talking with your doctor first). High-pressure settings can cause snoring or may indicate your equipment is causing leaks. Contact your primary care physician or sleep care specialist if your settings seem off. You may need another titration study to get the correct pressure.
- Air gaps in certain areas, such as the nose or mouth, can cause mask leaks, significantly impacting the effectiveness of your sleep therapy. To help correct leaks, you can try a new mask style or mask accessories like nasal pillow liners, nasal gel pads, or eye shields.
- Breathing through your mouth can cause snoring to continue and lead to other issues such as morning headaches, brain fog, fatigue, and digestive problems. Breathing from your mouth depletes your carbon dioxide levels and decreases your blood circulation, too. If you are a mouth breather, you would benefit most from a full face mask.
Final Thoughts
If you’re still snoring while using CPAP, you may need to have a doctor Or sleep therapist adjust your pressure settings or change your current CPAP mask setup.
Disclaimer
The information provided is for general knowledge only. Consult your doctor for personalized advice and treatment. Medikart HealthCare not liable for any actions taken based on this info.