FACTS
Snoring is
- noisy breathing during sleep.
- the vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting sound due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping
- occurs to men and women of all ages
- 75% of people who snore have obstructive sleep apnea
- it occurs more often in men and in people who are overweight.
What are the health risks of snoring?
Snoring can be a mild, it can also be the sign of a dangerous medical condition.
Habitual snorers are at risk for serious health problems
Not everyone who snores has the sleep disorder.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) creates several problems, including the following:
- Long interruptions of breathing (more than 10 seconds in adults) due to partial or total blockage of the airway.
People with serious cases of obstructive sleep apnea can have hundreds of total blockage episodes a night.
This can cause the patient to wake up frequently without even realizing it
- Snorers with obstructive sleep apnea have a harder time getting deep restful sleep
Deep sleep relaxes their throat muscles and leads to more blockage of airflow.
- Blood oxygen levels are often lowered in people with obstructive sleep apnea.
This causes the heart to pump harder and blood pressure to rise.
The result is a poor night’s sleep, which leads to drowsiness during the day
can interfere with the person’s ability to drive and work.
- Obstructed sleep apnea over a long period of time can lead to high blood pressure and
may cause enlargement of the heart, with higher risks of heart attack and stroke
Why Do We Snore?
Snoring occurs when the flow of air through the mouth and nose is physically obstructed (blocked).
This Obstruction can be Due to
- Bulky throat tissue.
- Poor muscle tone in throat and tongue.
- Obstructed nasal airways.
- Long uvula or palate.
I am an occasional snorer? What do I need to do?
You can try the following changes to help control the problem:
- Lose weight and improve your eating habits.
- Avoid sleeping pills before you go to bed.
- Avoid alcohol or snacks at least four hours before you sleep.
- Try to go to bed at the same time every night.
- Sleep on your side rather than on your back.
- Raise the head end of the bed.
If nothing helps talk to your specialist.
Treatment Of Snoring. Will I Require Surgery?
Recovery from snoring depends on a treatment approach combining surgical and nonsurgical methods.
Surgery
- Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
- Laser-assisted uvula palatoplasty (LAUP)
- Somnoplasty
- Genioglossal, hyoid, or maxillomandibular advancement
- Septoplasty and turbinate surgery
