Dealing with the Аnnoying Snoring

Snoring – what causes it? Health risks & how to deal with it

Snoring is a common condition that can affect anyone, although it occurs more frequently in men and people who are overweight. Snoring has a tendency to worsen with age. Occasional snoring it is not considered dangers but rather annoying for your partner. But if the snoring is constant, than it is not only annoying for your partner, but it dangers your own sleep and can be indication for health problems.

What Causes Snoring?

Snoring occurs when the flow of air through the mouth and nose is physically obstructed. Air flow can be obstructed by a combination of factors, including:

Obstructed nasal airways: Some people snore only during allergy seasons or when they have a sinus infection.
Deformities of the: such as a deviated septum (a structural change in the wall that separates one nostril from the other) or nasal polyps can also cause obstruction.
Poor muscle tone in the throat and tongue: Throat and tongue muscles can be too relaxed, which allows them to collapse and fall back into the airway. This can result from deep sleep, alcohol consumption, and use of some sleeping pills. Normal aging causes further relaxation of these muscles.
Overweight: When we are gaining weight we add fat deposits in different parts of the body and the throat is not exception. And so the unnecessary fat in the nasal cavities begin to block the air, causing snoring.
Long soft palate and/or uvula: A long soft palate or a long uvula can narrow the opening from the nose to the throat. When these structures vibrate and bump against one another the airway becomes obstructed, causing snoring.

Health Risks associated with Snoring

Habitual snorers can be at risk for serious health problems, including obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea creates several problems, including:

Interruptions of breathing: (lasting from a few seconds to minutes) during sleep caused by partial or total obstruction or blockage of the airway.
Light sleeping: Waking up so many times a night interferes with the normal pattern of sleep.
Strain on the heart: Prolonged suffering from obstructive sleep apnea often results in higher blood pressure.
Poor night's sleep: This leads to drowsiness during the day and can interfere with your quality of life.

Coping

Snoring is not “cosmetic” problem, which can be ignored easily, but rather phenomena, which requires medical attention. People who snore occasionally and wake up refreshed can first try those measures before seeking medical help:

Normalizing your weight – If BMI ( Body Mass Index - calculated as the weight is divided by the height of a squared) is above 25, it’s recommended to lower it to 25 or below
Avoid tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and antihistamines before bedtime
Avoid alcohol for at least four hours before retiring
Avoid heavy meals or snacks for three hours before retiring
Establish regular sleeping patterns – waking up and going to sleep at the same time every day, including the weekend
Sleep on your side rather than your back
Try to sleep with pillow specially made against snoring or orthopedic pillow

Source: www.webmd.com

This article is not intended to replace professional medical help it is only for information.