Snoring: causes, health risks, and treatment

The causes, health risks, and treatment of snoring cannot be overemphasized when addressing the subject of snoring. Do not let snoring destroy your relationship or wonderful night sleep. This article will update you on the causes, health risks, and treatment of snoring.

Snoring takes place when air cannot move freely through the nose and throat during sleep and this makes surrounding tissue vibrate which leads to the production of the snoring sound. Regular night snoring usually disrupts the quality of sleep and this more often than not leads to irritability, tiredness, and some other health challenges.

However, if your snoring disturbs your partner, it can strain your relationship. So, moving into the other bedroom is not the only way, there exist tested and tried remedies that can help your partner have a sound sleep and fix your relationship problems caused by snoring.

a snoring wife

What are the Causes of Snoring?

Snoring occurs when airflow through the mouth and nose is physically obstructed. The airflow can be obstructed by one or combination of either an obstructed nasal airways, a bulky nose tissue, poor muscle tone in the throat and tongue, and a long soft palate and/or uvula. The following can lead to snoring;

i.                 Poor sleeping posture. Laying flat on your back causes the flesh of the throat to relax thereby obstructing the airways, so, changing your sleeping position is the way out.

ii.               Smoking, alcoholism, and the use of medications. Cigarette smoking, alcohol intake and the use of some medications, for example, valium (diazepam) and lorazepam or better put, tranquilizers increases muscle relaxation and thereby more snoring.

iii.             Age. The throat becomes narrower and the muscle tone in the throat decrease as you approach middle age. In as much as nothing can be done against getting older, changes to lifestyle, etc. adequate throat exercise is a good way out.

iv.              Overweight. Poor muscle tone and fatty tissues can contribute to snoring. Carrying excess weight in any part of the body can lead to snoring. Regular exercise and weight loss can just be the solution to this particular cause.

v.                Sinus and nasal problems. A stuffy nose and blocked airways make breathing difficult and therefore creates a vacuum in the throat giving rise to snoring

vi.             The way you are built. Men are susceptible to snoring than women because they have a narrower air passage. Hereditary factors that contribute to snoring include a cleft palate, narrow throat, and enlarged adenoids. While you do not have control over your gender and how you are built, you could control snoring by throat exercise and living right.

What are the health risks associated with snoring?

i.                 Snoring strains the heart. Prolonged suffering from obstructive sleep apnea results in high blood pressure and may lead to heart enlargement. This increases risks of heart attack and stroke

ii.               Breathing interruption. This occurs during sleep and it is caused by total or partial blockage of the airways.

iii.            Frequent interruptions to sleep. This may not be noticed during sleep.

iv.             Light sleeping.

v.               Poor sleep at night.

vi.             Weight gain.

vii.           Early morning headaches

viii.         A feeling of not well-rested in the morning

ix.             Changes in memory, concentration, and attention

x.               Uncontrolled day time sleepiness.

Is there a way out of snoring for me?

Analyzing the causes, health risks, and treatment of snoring brings us to the conclusion that there is a need for some lifestyle changes, patience and a willingness to try out different solutions in bringing an end to snoring.

The treatment is segmented into the following headings;

Bed-time treatment.

 i.                 Make the bedroom air moist

ii.                Try a different sleeping position. Elevate your head 4inches by using pillows making sure your neck muscles do not crimp.

iii.              Try sleeping on your side instead of the back

iv.               Have a clear nasal passage before bedtime.

v.                 The use of an anti-snoring mouth device.

Lifestyle changes.

 i.                   Drink plenty ofwater

ii.                  Quit smoking

iii.                Lose weight

iv.                 Avoid the use of sedatives, sleeping pills, and alcohol consumption.

v.                   Do not eat large meals or meals like dairy (soymilk) before bedtime.

vi.                 Regular exercise would help.

Medical treatment.

 The otolaryngologist may recommend the use of medical devices or surgical procedures like;

i.                 Continuous Positive Airways Pressure. (CPAP). It keeps your airways your airways open during sleep by blowing pressurized air into a mask that you wear over your nose or face.

ii.               Laser-assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP).  It uses a laser to shorten the soft tissue at the back of the throat and make some cut to it. As the cut heals, the tissue around toughens to prevent vibrations that cause snoring.

iii.             Somnoplasty. It uses radiofrequency heat to take off the uvula and the soft palate that causes snoring.

iv.              Palatal implant. Here, soft plastic is inserted into the soft palate that helps prevent the breaking down of the soft palate that causes snoring

v.                Custom-fitted dental gadget and lower jaw positioners. This must be handled by an expert dentist who specializes in the use of this device. 

Hello there,

Several people snore because of different reasons, you need to understand the causes, health risks, and treatment of snoring, and so, you can be free and therefore, enjoy a sweet night's sleep.

You can join the conversation by leaving us a comment, sharing your thoughts and experience on this subject matter. Thank you for reading.