Snoring
Snoring is the vibrating sound of obstructed breathing while sleeping. The uvula or soft palate (the back of the roof of the mouth) vibrates when it relaxes or the throat constricts during sleep. In some cases snoring is loud and unpleasant. At least 25% of all adult men and 15% of adult women snore. After age 60 this rises to 60% of men and 40% of women
Snoring itself is not harmful. However, it can disturb the snorer’s own sleep, and disturb others. Snoring may indicate more serious sleep disorders such as upper respiratory resistance syndrome or obstructive sleep apnoea in which breathing stops periodically
Causes and triggers
- Overweight
- Sleeping on one's back, causing the tongue to drop to the back of the mouth
- Conditions that cause swelling in the nasal and throat passages, such as colds, throat or sinus infections
- Alcohol or other drugs that relax throat muscles
- Smoking
- In children, enlarged tonsils and adenoids
- Mis-positioned jaw, often caused by tension
Impact
Snoring can cause sleep deprivation to snorers and those around them. Poor sleep leads to daytime drowsiness, irritability, lack of concentration and decreased libido. Serious snoring can cause significant psychological and social damage, and severe impairment of lifestyle and relationship with a partner. There is a strong correlation between loud snoring and the risk of heart attack, atherosclerosis or stroke
Treatment
Almost all treatments for snoring involve clearing the blockages in the airways:
- Lose weight (to stop fat from pressing on the throat)
- Stop smoking (smoking weakens and clogs the throat)
- Sleep on the side rather than back (to prevent the tongue from blocking the throat)
- Nasal strips or nose clips to open the passages in the nose
- Mandibular advancement splints may be provided by a specialist dentist. They advance the lower jaw slightly, which pulls tongue forward
- A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device is used for sleep apnoea and the snoring associated with it. This shoebox-sized machine pumps a controlled stream of air to a mask worn over the nose / mouth
- Surgery
- Drugs
- Lubricating sprays
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