Snoring Relief and Sleep Apnea

What Causes Snoring?

Snoring Culprits 

Statistics show that about 45% of adult’s snores from time to time while around 25% snores regularly.  This is mostly considered as a problem that needs some intervention or treatment.   

Generally, snoring is most common in men than women.  Overweight people show more tendencies to snore than those within normal weight.  Age appears to aggravate the situation as well. 

With this disturbing condition, a lot of companies have designed devices that are said to cure snoring.  About 300 devices or more are already registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  Some of these evolve from a traditional idea in which a tennis ball is put inside a sock that is then sewed to the back of the pajama.  Supposedly, this forces the snoring person to sleep on his back, which counters the findings, that snoring become worse if a person lies on his back. 

There have indeed been several variations when it comes to snoring devices.  Some keep the lower jaw forward, some work on the nasal passage and keep it open, and some even create an unfavorable stimulus as soon as a person snores.  However, these devices sometimes do not work primarily because the person who snores cannot control his own snoring nor be aware of it.  If these devices have worked for some, it is probably because they disturb the sleep somehow and wakeup the person from time to time.  

So what really are the causes of snoring?  Basically, the sounds produced while snoring come from the vibration and striking of certain structures at the inner side of the mouth and nose.  The inside part of the tongue and the upper throat bump with the uvula and palate thus air cannot flow easily.   

Moreover, the quality of the muscles of the tongue and throat has a great impact on snoring.  Too much relaxation of the muscles, due to alcohol or sleep-inducing drugs, causes the tongue to linger into the air passageway or the throat to bunch into the airway.  Such may also happen if a person has been too tired and has fallen into a really deep sleep. 

In addition to these, people with bulky throat tissues also snore.  This explains why overweight people are more likely to snore since the tissues of their neck are equally bulky.  Children with enlarged tonsils also snore. 

Having a long palate that partially blocks the opening from the nose to the throat is also being pointed out as a cause.  At it dangles along the passageway, a noise is being produced.  If a long uvula pairs up with this condition, snoring becomes worse.   

If there are obstructions in the nasal airways, snoring may also be expected.  Such makes the uptake of air more difficult and forces together the throat tissues toward the middle.  With this, snoring is most rampant during cold seasons in which people are more prone to catching colds and other sinus problems.     

While snoring is not as serious as other medical conditions, it has to be given attention as it may lead to further health problems.  Normally, the snorer does not get enough sleep and rest because sleep patterns are disturbed.  Likewise, severe snoring may lead to other long-term conditions, an example of which is called obstructive sleep apnea that includes episodes of totally blocked breathing. 

Should snoring not lead to other serious conditions, the social implications still remain very disturbing and it can negatively affect relationships.  It is important that the person consults an otolaryngologist who can examine the nose, mouth, palate, throat, and even neck.  Sleep studies in a laboratory may be necessary to further identify the severity of the condition.   

The treatment is strongly dependent on what has been diagnosed.  As the cause is usually structural in nature, surgery is often suggested.  However, those who find surgery risky prefer to just sleep every night wearing a nasal mask that is supposed to cause air pressure into the throat that is referred to as continuous positive airway pressure. 

Furthermore, there are simple ways that a person can do to somehow prevent this condition.  Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle is one as it tones the muscles and keeps weight within the normal level.  Conditioning oneself to a regular sleeping pattern can also help as well as not taking alcohol or sleep-inducing drugs right before going to sleep. 

Indeed, a good understanding of this condition will help a person deal with the situation better.   

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MSN

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