Snoring is a noise produced when an individual breathes (usually produced when breathing in) during sleep, which in turn causes vibration of the soft palate and uvula. The uvula is the little thing that hangs down in the back of the throat.
Primary Snoring, also known as simple snoring, snoring without sleep apnea, noisy breathing during sleep, benign snoring, rhythmical snoring and continuous snoring. Primary snoring is characterized by loud upper airway breathing sounds in sleep without episodes of apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea, apnea meaning, "the absence of breathing," is where the airway is completely blocked for a period of time - usually 10 seconds or longer. This silence may then be followed by snorts and gasps as the individual fights to take a breath. When an individual snores so loudly that it disturbs others, obstructive sleep apnea is almost certain to be present.
|
