Other conditions, such as ALS, muscular dystrophy, genetic conditions, and obesity, can contribute to daytime sleep apnea and snoring as well. In particular, neuromuscular weakness, a condition in which nerve fibers which control muscles become dysfunctional and do not exchange information with the muscle normally. There are a variety of risk factors obstructive apnea while awake. This causes changes in the patterns and depth of breathing and can result in loud breathing, and even snoring while awake. Essentially, in a similar way as it takes place when asleep, the airways of a patient become physically disrupted. Obstructive apnea can occur even when the patient is awake. These elevated levels contribute to difficulties breathing during the day, creating somewhat of a ‘vicious cycle’ if left untreated. Sleep apnea sufferers often have higher circulating levels of carbon dioxide in their blood as a result of poor, paused or shallow breathing at night. While symptoms are usually more severe while lying down at night, apnea can occur during the day. The term ‘apnea’ is defined as “the cessation of breathing, during which there is no movement of the muscles of inhalation and the volume of the lungs remains unchanged”.Īpnea itself can occur whenever there are periods of extensive muscle relaxation (OSA) or neurological pauses to breathing (CSA). This type of sleep apnea is much less common than OSA, and is usually associated with other medical conditions that affect brain function for example, damage to the brainstem or limbic system through stroke or tumors.ĭespite the word ‘sleep’ being present in the name of the condition, this isn’t the only time when symptoms of sleep apnea can occur. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) : CSA is slightly more complex, in which regular breathing rhythms which are unconsciously controlled by the ‘limbic’ system of the brain, simply stop without a fully understood cause.This means that breathing can be difficult under normal circumstances, but is a particular issue when muscles are relaxed. In general sufferers of OSA have substantially narrower air passages. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): In OSA, breathing is disrupted by a physical blockage in airflow.Sleep apnea is categorized into two main forms: Sleep apnea is a particularly dangerous condition that manifests as periods of shallow or complete pauses to breathing during sleep. Moreover, many patients report snoring and other breathing difficulties while awake.Ĭheck out the hugely popular Vital Sleep anti-snoring mouthpiece. Although snoring often seems innocuous, some studies have reported as many as 87% of ‘snorers’ suffer from sleep apnea. Unfortunately, episodes of snoring while awake can indicate a serious and dangerous underlying condition called sleep apnea. As a result, vibrations (and that well-known sound of snoring) are produced.Īs bizarre as snoring while awake sounds, the phenomena shouldn’t be taken lightly. Occasionally, this relaxation can narrow the respiratory passages and increase air pressure within the lungs nose and throat. This relaxation includes the muscles of the neck and throat. When we sleep, all of our muscles become relaxed (sometimes to the extent of paralysis). That unmistakable sound of snoring is caused by vibrations within the nasal and respiratory passages during sleep. Interestingly, it’s often the case that the individual won’t notice this snoring or change in breathing, but usually, those around them are quick to highlight it…īefore delving into the underlying causes of this phenomenon, it’s important to clarify what snoring is. This snoring can also be accompanied by changes in the rhythm and depth of breath, leading to noticeably loud or trouble patterns of breathing. However, snoring can occur while they’re still wide awake, or during the process of ‘nodding off’. Snoring is often assumed as an innocuous by-product of a good night of rest. So, it may surprise you to know that many people report snoring while awake! Nothing epitomizes the state of sleep as much as the sound of snoring.