Snoring is a loud noise produced when a person breathes during sleep. It is a general sleep disorder, which can affect all individuals irrespective of their age. However, this disorder occurs more often in males and individuals who are obese. Snoring may even aggravate with age. 45% of adults seldom snore, while twenty five percent are considered regular snorers.
Snoring occasionally is generally not taken serious, but it can be an annoyance to the bed partner. However, if a person snores regularly, it not only disturbs the bed partner’s sleep, but also disrupts his or her own sleep. If you are a regular snorer, you tend to snore whenever you sleep and feel exhausted after a night’s rest. You need a medical help for getting a good night’s sleep.
Causes of snoring
In most of the individuals, the causes for snoring are not known. The possible causes of snoring include:
- Airway blockage due to swollen tonsils and adenoids
- Being obese can lead to too much neck tissue, that puts force on airways
- Nasal congestion due to allergy or cold, particularly if you are suffering from long period
- Usage of antihistamines, alcohol, or sleeping pills before bedtime
- Sleeping on your back relaxes the throat muscles, blocking the airway
Snoring health risks
Regular snorers are at risk of severe health problems. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often related to snoring. One can face many problems, which includes:
- Repeated wake up from sleep
- Increase in blood pressure due to the lowering of blood oxygen levels
- Breathing pauses more than ten seconds while sleep due to airway blockage
- Due to less oxygen levels, body produces adrenalin, which causes blood sugar to go up, leading to diabetes
Snoring prevention and self help tips
Here are some self help tips to stop snoring:
- If you are overweight, losing a small amount of weight can reduce fatty neck tissue.
- If you are suffering with nasal congestion from a long period, making inhaling harder, clear your nasal passages.
- If you have habit of smoking, which blocks the airways by annoying throat and nose membranes, quit smoking.
- Do not sleep on your back, instead sleep on your side.
- If dry air in your room is irritating throat and nose membranes, use humidifier to keep the bed room air wet.
- Establish regular sleep routine to get good night sleep and reduce snoring.
- Avoid, tranquilizers, alcohol, and sleeping pills before going to bed.
If your snoring problem continues even after following home remedies, then consult a physician. Your doctor will perform physical exam and conducts sleep test.
Based on the severity of the problem, your doctor can recommend dental appliances, Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask, surgical procedures on palate, and tonsillectomy.