Snoring

Almost half of all adults snore occasionally and at least 25-percent of those are individuals that snore habitually. Snoring is more common in males and is increased by being overweight. Snoring often continues to get worse as people grow older.

Snoring is a result the free airflow being obstructed. This airflow occurs through passages located at the back of the mouth and nose where the uvula and soft palate are. This part of the airway can collapse. These structures hitting each other causes them to vibrate, which in turn causes snoring.

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People who are snorers may have:

• Not enough toned muscles in the tongue and throat. When muscles are relaxed, the tongue falls back into the airway or the throat draws in from the sides of the airways.
• An excess in size of throat tissue. Children who have large tonsils or adenoids are more likely to snore.
• A long soft palate or uvula. A long palate will constrict the opening from the nose into the throat. While it dangles, it will work as a noisy valve during calm breathing. A long uvula will only make this matter worse.
• Blockage of nasal passages. The ability to pull air through the nose is restricted when the nose is plugged. This creates a vacuum in the throat, pulling together the tissues of the throat and snoring is a result of this.
• Abnormalities in the nasal structure can also cause an obstruction and cause snoring.

Snoring can be serious both socially and physically. Socially, it can be a cause of ridicule for the snorer. Medically it can also be serious as it deprives the snorer of needed rest. If the snoring is very severe, it can actually cause more serious health problems such as obstructive sleep apnea, which involves episodes of completely obstructed breathing.

Heavy snorers should seek advice from a doctor to rule out such things as sleep apnea. An otolaryngologist will complete a thorough examination of the nose, mouth, throat, palate and neck.

Treatment will depend on the severity of the snoring and often, no treatment is necessary. The individual may sleep every night with a mask that delivers a continuous positive airway pressure to relieve the snoring. Surgery is also an option. A child who is constantly snoring should have their tonsils and adenoids examined.

Some self-help can be done to treat snoring. Treatments for snoring include adopting a healthy and active lifestyle to develop good muscle tone and lose weight, avoiding tranquilizers, antihistamines, and sleeping pills before bed. Also, avoiding alcohol at least four hours before bed and avoiding large meals or snacks before bed, establishing regular sleeping patterns, sleeping on the side and not the back, tilting the head of the bed up by approximately four inches will help in avoiding snoring.