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Snoring Risk Factors & Diagnosis

What Contributes To Your Snoring?

At Virginia Sleep & TMJ Therapy in Richmond, VA, we take a holistic, comprehensive approach to care. We not only examine your symptoms, but how your overall health and medical history may be contributing to this condition. While anyone can experience symptoms of this condition, certain risk factors can increase your chances of snoring.

Risk Factors

Some people have a higher likelihood of snoring based on their anatomy alone. However, sometimes your risk is increased due to certain lifestyle factors. The following factors can increase your risk of developing this condition:

  • Age. Your risk increases with age, as throat muscles can weaken over time.

  • Menopause. Middle-aged and older women are more likely to begin snoring.

  • Pregnancy. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect the airways.

  • Sex. Men have a higher likelihood than women. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 40% of adult men snore.

  • Obesity. This can cause a restriction of the airways.

  • Weak throat and tongue muscles. This can make it difficult for the airways to stay open during sleep.

  • A deviated septum or other nasal issues. These issues can make the nasal passages more narrow, reducing airflow.

  • A long soft palate. This occurs when the back of the roof of your mouth is longer than usual.

  • A small jaw. Less space in the mouth can lead to a more constricted airway.

  • Stroke. Heavy snoring greatly increases the risk of stroke.

How We Diagnose Snoring

If your snoring is posing a problem, we at Virginia Sleep & TMJ Therapy can help. While snoring itself does not always cause issues, sometimes it can be a symptom of a larger problem. We will diagnose what is causing your condition so that you can receive the best treatment for you.

  • In order to reach a diagnosis, we will first conduct a physical examination. Your nose, mouth and throat will be examined to make sure you don’t have any physical abnormalities that could be causing you to snore. This includes double-checking that you do not have additional symptoms so that we can rule out sleep apnea.

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  • If you are presenting additional symptoms that are further affecting your sleep and quality of life, we may refer you to a sleep center. At the sleep center, a sleep specialist will conduct a study to confirm if you have a sleep disorder, which includes sleep apnea, that could be causing your symptoms. The test involves measuring your brain activity, heart rate and breathing while you are asleep.

  • We will also ask about your family history and any habits you may have, including whether you drink, smoke or suffer from allergies. We may also ask your spouse or partner to answer a list of questions so we can understand the severity of your signs and symptoms.

Tips For Your Initial Consultation

Before we meet with you, we recommend that you write down a list of your symptoms and any questions you want to be answered. We also recommend that you bring in a list of your current medications and any possible allergies. If your spouse or family member cannot attend the consultation with you, please plan on bringing a list of their observations, as well. Being prepared will help your diagnosis and treatment go as smoothly as possible!

Get Sound Sleep, Every Night

At Virginia Sleep & TMJ Therapy, our goal is to help you get your snoring under control. By identifying any potential risk factors, symptoms and habits, we will best be able to help you reach a diagnosis so that you can get better, less disruptive sleep and achieve a better overall quality of life for both you and your family members. To schedule an appointment, please call us at (804) 729-3474 or use our online appointment request form.