Snoring vs Sleep Apnea: Symptoms, Differences, and When to Worry
As we age, snoring often becomes more noticeable. Anyone who has shared a bed with a snorer knows how disruptive it can be, and it can be surprising to discover that you are the one making all the noise. The British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association estimates that 41% of UK adults snore, affecting 10.4 million men and 4.5 million women. However, snoring is more than just a nuisance; it can be a sign of a potentially serious condition called sleep apnea . What is Sleep Apnea? Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. There are two main types: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA). According to Prof. Guy Leschziner , neurologist at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals in London, professor of neurology and sleep medicine at King's College London, and the author of The Nocturnal Brain: Nightmares, Neuroscience and the Secret World of Sleep , CSA is less common and related to central nervous system signals, often linked to...