Though snoring might be harmful to your health, the annoying sound you hear at night would appear like a regular part of sleeping.
We wanted to pause to address the most frequently asked issues concerning snoring by our patients. Read on to go over the danger factors and indicators that someone’s snoring could be a more major medical concern.
Why do individuals snore?
Though everyone knows the sound well, you might not know what causes snoring. The sound you hear comes from someone sleeping and inhaling. Parts of the upper airway vibrate as air passes in through the mouth or nose: the tongue, soft palate, tonsils, adenoids, uvula, and walls of the throat.
Since the muscles in the airways are more stiff, snoring does not occur during waking. But these muscles relax and the soft tissues contract while we sleep, therefore limiting the area free for air to circulate. The junction of the tongue, throat, and soft palate can collapse toward the rear of the throat during sleep and greatly restrict the airways.
What Are the Primary Causes of Loud Snoring?
Men and those who are overweight or obese typically snore more commonly. It also often runs in families and gets worse with age. These are some more transient and structural elements that could lead to loud snoring:
Having a deviated septum that limits nose airflow,
- Low muscle tone in the throat, usually resulting from aging or inactivity,
- Having swollen tonsils—especially in children
- Having either a small jaw
- Having clogged nasal passages
- Alcohol or drugs that induce drowsiness
- Smoking or working around second-hand smoke.
When might snoring be dangerous?
Though it is not harmful on its own, loud snoring can indicate a more severe illness. Actually, it is a sign usually associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Lying down and sleeping causes the airways to become so narrow for those with sleep apnea, making breathing difficult or maybe totally blocked. The brain jolts a person awake just enough to begin breathing once it runs out of oxygen.
Not only is sleep apnea dangerous, but noisy snoring has also been linked independently to hypertension, atherosclerosis, and other medical conditions. Studies reveal that it is indeed more likely than obesity, smoking, or high cholesterol to predict heart attacks or strokes. Though the precise link between snoring and these health problems is yet unknown, it is a significant indication that it is more than just a symptom. Rather, we are discovering that snoring should be treated even in cases of sleep apnea.
First, doctors advise certain important lifestyle modifications to help with snoring reduction and lower the risk of obstructive sleep apnea development. These consist of:
- Stopped smoking,
- Lose weight,
- Cut back on alcohol intake.
- Steer clear of sleeping medications and sedatives.
- addressing allergy problems.
Many times, patients seeking sleep tests have tried a range of strategies and devices meant to stop snoring.
Nasal strips, for instance, can help ease snoring brought on by nasal congestion or clogged nasal passages. Usually, the first therapy choices advised for patients with obstructive sleep apnea are continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines and adjustable dental positioning devices, sometimes referred to as TAP. These gadgets are meant to guarantee that patients obtain sufficient oxygen during the night and enable more peaceful slumber. Most people with sleep apnea respond nicely to this kind of therapy.
