Snoring

OVERVIEW: Snoring may be the butt of a lot of jokes, but snoring is no laughing matter. While most snoring is harmless, it is often associated with serious health problems. Snorers have an increased risk of diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. In addition, it is a major symptom of the condition, sleep apnea. Snoring causes both the one who snores and their spouse to lose sleep, resulting in the problems caused by sleep deprivation, including irritability, impaired function on the job, and feeling drowsy in the daytime.

CAUSES: The actual sound of snoring is caused by the vibrations of the fleshy parts at the back of the throat. These parts include the soft palate, the uvula, and the tonsils. These parts vibrate because they are relaxed when sleeping. There are some factors that increase the likelihood of snoring. These include smoking, obesity, being out of shape, breathing secondhand smoke, and physical abnormalities, such as a naturally narrow throat. Men snore more often than women do, and older people snore more than younger ones.

SYMPTOMS: A mild case of snoring is one in which the person snoring stops whenever they roll over in bed. In more severe cases, the person who snores wakes up because of the noise of their own snoring. This can happen many times in one night. Anyone sleeping in the same room as the snorer is likely to suffer as much from sleep deprivation as the snorer. This results in the symptoms of grogginess, irritability, and fuzzy thinking that indicate inadequate sleep. An alarming aspect of snoring is that it is linked with sleep apnea, although a person who snores does not necessarily have sleep apnea. Apnea refers to a condition in which the sleeper completely stops breathing for 10 seconds or more, and then awakes with a snort, trying to get some air. It is a frightening condition, and can be life-threatening.

DIAGNOSIS: A spouse or family member can let you know if you snore or not, but to find out the danger of your own snoring problem requires consulting with a physician. A sleep specialist will carry out a thorough examination of your mouth and nose and all aspects of your airway to see if there are abnormalities. Maybe you just have a cold or congested sinuses. The doctor will also ask you a lot of questions about your health as well as your sleep habits. You may have to have a blood test to reveal any underlying problems, such as with your thyroid level or cholesterol. If the doctor thinks you have a serious problem, you may be referred to a sleep clinic or laboratory to be monitored as you sleep.

TREATMENT OPTIONS: Snoring, if it is not associated with a more serious condition, can often be treated with changes in behavior. Two of the best things you can do to beat snoring are to lose weight and to quit smoking. Avoid drinking alcohol before you go to bed, because it will cause your throat muscles to relax. If you have sinus congestion, you could try avoiding dairy products or taking a nasal decongestant. "Breathe Right" strips are adhesive strips that stick to your nose and open your nostrils wider for easier breathing. These have helped some people overcome snoring, although you may find them so uncomfortable that you can't get to sleep.