What Causes Snoring?
The noisy sounds of snoring occur when there is an
obstruction to the free flow of air through the passages at the back
of the mouth and nose. This area is the collapsible part of the
airway where the tongue and upper throat meet the
soft palate and uvula. Snoring occurs when these structures strike
each other and vibrate during breathing.
Forty-five percent of normal adults snore at least occasionally, and
25 percent are habitual snorers. Problem snoring is more frequent in
males and those who are overweight, and it usually grows worse with
age.
Snoring is often worse when a person sleeps on his back. Some
devices reposition the lower jaw forward; some open nasal air
passages; a few others have been designed to condition a person not
to snore by producing unpleasant stimuli when snoring occurs.
Is Snoring Serious?
Yes,
both socially and medically. Snoring can cause embarrassment and
disrupt the sleep of loved ones, many of whom choose to sleep
separately from their partner. This can cause immense strain on a
relationship. But snoring is also a medical issue, because it
disturbs sleeping patterns and deprives the snorer of appropriate
rest. When snoring is severe, it can cause serious, long-term health
problems, including obstructive sleep apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
When loud snoring is interrupted by episodes of
obstructed breathing, it is known as obstructive sleep apnea.
Serious episodes last more than ten seconds each and occur more than
seven times per hour. Apnea patients may experience more than 100
such events per hour. These episodes can reduce blood oxygen levels,
causing the heart to pump harder.
The immediate effect of sleep apnea is that the snorer must sleep
lightly and keep his muscles tense in order to maintain airflow to
the lungs. Because the snorer does not get a good rest, he may be
sleepy during the day, which can impair job performance and make him
a hazardous driver or equipment operator. After many years with this
disorder, elevated blood pressure and heart enlargement may occur.
People Who Snore May Suffer From:
- Poor muscle tone in the tongue and throat.
When muscles are too relaxed, either from alcohol or drugs that
cause sleepiness, the tongue falls backwards into the airway or
the throat muscles draw in from the sides into the airway. This
can also happen during deep sleep.
- Excessive bulkiness of throat tissue.
Children with large tonsils and adenoids often snore. Overweight
people have bulky neck tissue, too. Cysts or tumors can also
cause bulk, but they are rare.
- Long soft palate and/or uvula. A long palate
narrows the opening from the nose into the throat. As it
dangles, it acts as a noisy flutter valve during relaxed
breathing. A long uvula makes matters even worse.
- Obstructed nasal airways. A stuffy or blocked
nose requires extra effort to pull air through it. This creates
an exaggerated vacuum in the throat, and pulls together the
floppy tissues of the throat, and snoring results. So, snoring
often occurs only during the hay fever season or with a cold or
sinus infection.
- Deformities of the nose or nasal septum, such
as a deviated septum (a deformity of the wall that separates one
nostril from the other) can cause such an obstruction.
Can Heavy Snoring be Cured?
Heavy snorers, those who snore in any position or are disruptive to the family, should seek medical advice to ensure that sleep apnea is not a problem. Dr. Dorfman will provide a thorough examination of the nose, mouth, throat, palate, and neck. A sleep study (either in a laboratory environment or at home) may be necessary to determine how serious the snoring is and to determine if the patient has sleep apnea.
Self-Help for the Light Snorer
Adults who suffer from mild or occasional snoring should try the following self-help remedies:
- Adopt a healthy and athletic lifestyle to develop good muscle tone and lose weight.
- Avoid tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and antihistamines before bedtime.
- Avoid alcohol for at least four hours and heavy meals or snacks for three hours before retiring.
- Establish regular sleeping patterns
- Sleep on your side rather than your back.
- Tilt the head of your bed upwards four inches
