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Do you snore? Has your partner or your family teased you for your loud honking and huffing while you sleep? Snoring can make people laugh—but most often it makes people tired and annoyed. snoring disorder needs evaluation by sleep specialist because snoring is one of the indicators of Obstructive sleep apnea , pauses in breathing during sleep
Ever wonder how all that snoring racket gets made?
Snoring is the sound of the passed air through the narrowed airway. First of all, we naturally want to breathe through our noses. Some people cannot breathe through their noses because of obstruction of the nasal passages. Deviation of the nasal septum, allergies, and sinus infections or swelling of the turbinate, therefore they need to breath through their mouth.
During sleep, the muscles of your throat relax, the tongue falls backward, and your throat becomes narrow. As you breathe, the walls of the throat begin to vibrate. These vibrations lead to the characteristic sound of snoring. The narrower your airway becomes, the greater the vibration and the louder your snoring.
Furthermore, sometimes the walls of the throat collapse completely so that it is completely occluded, causing apnea (cessation of breathing). This is a serious condition which requires medical attention. this is why we consider Snoring is one of the indicators of Obstructive sleep apnea. which is a chronic condition characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep.
Occasional snoring is usually not very serious and is mostly a nuisance for your bed partner. However, if you are a habitual snorer, you not only disrupt the sleep patterns of those close to you, but you also impair your own sleep quality. People who snore are more likely to be tired and irritable. That’s because snoring interferes with sound sleep. The noise of snoring also affects sleeping partners, diminishing the quality of their night rest. Snoring can be a source of tension and frustration between couples.
Snoring isn’t just noisy and annoying. It’s a form of sleep-disordered breathing. Snoring disrupts healthy, sound, restorative sleep. Furthermore, it increases risks for other health problems. People who snore are at greater risk for obstructive sleep apnea, a more serious form of sleep-disordered breathing. Not all snorers have OSA, but if you have any of the following symptoms, it may be an indication to see a doctor for further evaluation for sleep apnea:
Witnessed breathing pauses during sleep.
Excessive daytime sleepiness.
Difficulty concentrating.
Morning headaches.
Sore throat upon awakening.
Restless sleep.
Gasping or choking at night.
High blood pressure.
Chest pain at night.
Your snoring is so loud it’s disrupting your partner’s sleep
In children, poor attention span, behavioral issues or poor performance in school.
Snoring causes can be related to number of factors, such as the anatomy of your mouth and sinuses, alcohol consumption, allergies, a cold, and weight.
First of all, certain people are more at risk for snoring than others. Snoring becomes more common with age. Furthermore, there are other risk factors that increase your likelihood of a snoring problem:
Your mouth anatomy. Having a low, thick soft palate can narrow your airway. However, people who are overweight may have extra tissues in the back of their throats that may narrow their airways. Likewise, if the triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate (uvula) is elongated, airflow can be obstructed and vibration increased.
Inflammation of the nose, throat, and airway. This inflammation can be caused by conditions such as allergies and respiratory infections.
Nasal problems. Certainly, chronic nasal congestion or a crooked partition between your nostrils (deviated nasal septum) may contribute to your snoring.
Alcohol consumption. Alcohol causes exaggerated muscle relaxation, which can make snoring more likely.
Smoking: Similarly, smoking irritates the sensitive tissues of the nose, throat and airway, making them more likely to vibrate and cause snoring.
Sleeping on your back. This sleeping position can lead to a narrower airway. Many people are more likely to snoring when sleeping on their backs, rather than their sides.
Sleep deprivation. Finally, not getting enough sleep can lead to further throat relaxation.
In conclusion, Snoring can be caused by a number of factors.
snoring treatment depends on the causes of snoring.
Being a man. Men are more likely to snore or have sleep apnea than are women.
Being overweight. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to snore or have obstructive sleep apnea.
Having a narrow airway. Some people may have a long soft palate, or large tonsils or adenoids, which can narrow the airway and cause snoring.
Drinking alcohol. Alcohol relaxes your throat muscles, increasing the risk of snoring.
Having nasal problems. If you have a structural defect in your airway, such as a deviated septum, or your nose is chronically congested, your risk of snoring is greater.
Having a family history of snoring or obstructive sleep apnea. Heredity is a potential risk factor for OSA.
When to see a doctor
our doctor will inquire about the allergies you had been suffering with and also about your eating and drinking habits and the medicines, if any. The doctor will examine the throat and the nasal passages for signs related to nasal, dental, jaw, mouth or throat infections which may be resulting into snoring. If the specialist suspects the presence of the obstructive sleep apnea, then your partner may be asked to keep a track of the same by noting the sleep as well as the snoring pattern. The doctor may also suggest you take the sleep monitoring study which will help in the analyzing the sleep as well as the frequency of stopping breathing during the sleep.
No certain treatment can completely stop snoring. All snoring treatment revolve around lessening the breathing discomfort by clearing the blockage in the air passage. Medications can help control some of the underlying causes such as nasal congestion and allergic reactions. Doctors often recommend lifestyle changes as a first line treatment to stop snoring.
you can make that may help to reduce your snoring:• Lose weight. Even a small weight loss – as little as 5 percent – can make a significant difference to snoring.
Switch sleeping positions. Sleeping on your side can diminish the frequency and intensity of snoring, compared to sleeping on your back.
Avoid alcohol close to bedtime.
Avoid heavy meals close to bedtime.
Quit smoking.
Congestion and irritation in the nose and throat are common causes of snoring. Therefore, Other treatment for snoring may include nasal sprays, nasal strips, nose clips, lubricating sprays, or oral appliances. Talk to your doctor about the medications you’re taking. Some medications, including antihistamines and sleeping pills, can aggravate a snoring problem. Ask your physician for help in finding alternatives.
Oral appliances are form-fitting dental mouthpieces that help advance the position of your jaw, tongue and soft palate to keep your air passage open.
If you choose to use an oral appliance, you’ll work with your dental specialist to optimize the fit and position of the appliance. You’ll also work with your sleep specialist to make sure the oral appliance is working as intended. Dental visits may be necessary at least once every six months during the first year, and then at least annually after that, to have the fit checked and to assess your oral health.
Excessive salivation, dry mouth, jaw pain and facial discomfort are possible side effects from wearing these devices
remains one of the best. It uses continuous positive airway pressure to keep the throat more fully open throughout the night, preventing “apneic” events (breathing stoppages) that can usually reduce or eliminate snoring.
There are a number of procedures that seek to open the upper airway and prevent significant narrowing during sleep through a variety of techniques.
Finally, some individuals may need a
