Dr KellySnoring might seem harmless, but it can be a sign of a serious medical condition known as sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea occurs when your breathing slows down significantly or you stop breathing for more than 10 seconds while sleeping. We shall be looking at what causes snoring and when we should see snoring as a big problem.
Snoring is the noisy breathing one makes while sleeping. The quality of a snore can range from a gentle meow to a shuttering chainsaw, but all snores originate from the respiratory tract. It is more common in men than women and can worsen with age.
What happens when we snore?
When you snore, the flow of air through your mouth and nose is blocked and several things can interfere with airflow, including:
1. Poor muscle tone in your throat and tongue. Throat and tongue muscles can be too relaxed, which allows them to collapse into your airway airflow.
2. Blocked nasal airways. Some people snore only during allergy season or when they have a sinus infection. Problems in your nose such as a deviated septum or nasal polyps can also block your airways.
3. Bulky throat tissue; Being overweight can also cause snoring because of excess fat buildup on your neck that constricts your airways when you lie down.
4. Alcohol and drug use. Drinking alcohol or taking muscle relaxants can also make your tongue and throat muscles relax too much.
5. Sleep position. Sleeping on your back can make you snore and using a pillow that’s too soft or too large can make you snore.
The narrower the airway, the stronger the snore
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Medical conditions associated with Snoring
Apnea is a temporary cessation of breathing, especially during sleep and the following medical conditions are associated with snoring;
1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. It causes you to repeatedly stop and start breathing while you sleep.The most common is obstructive sleep apnea. This type of apnea occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep. A noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring.
2. Central sleep apnea:
This occurs when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing. Central sleep apnea can result from other conditions, such as heart failure and stroke. Another possible cause is sleeping at a high altitude.
3. Complex sleep Apnea
This is also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, which occurs when someone has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition. Complications can include:
1. Daytime fatigue. The repeated awakenings associated with sleep apnea make normal, restorative sleep impossible, making severe daytime drowsiness likely.
2. High blood pressure or heart problems. Sudden drops in blood oxygen levels that occur during sleep apnea increase blood pressure and strain the cardiovascular system.
3. Headache, Lack of concentration and fatigue
Risk factor
Age: As we grow older soft tissue around the next lossen hence narrowing the airway.
Gender: Men are more likely to snore than women.
Weight: Being overweight causes more tissue to develop in the throat, which can contribute to snoring.
A small airway: You may be more likely to snore if you have a narrow upper respiratory tract.
Genetics: You may be at higher risk for sleep apnea if someone in your family also has it
.Infections or allergies: Infections and seasonal allergies can cause snoring.
Drinking alcohol may relax your muscles, leading to snoring as well.
What to do
1. Sleep on your side: Sleeping on your back may cause you to snore. When relaxed, your tongue can fall back into your throat and cause your airway to become smaller, leading to snoring. Sleeping on your side can help prevent your tongue from blocking your airway. Elevate your head using a pillow when sleeping on your back.
2. Lose weight; Being overweight has been linked to snoring. Implementing a healthy diet and getting frequent exercise may help.
3. Use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine: A CPAP machine pumps air into your airway overnight, decreasing symptoms of snoring and sleep apnea.
4. Surgical procedure: Trimming the excess tissue in your throat, or shrinking the tissue in your soft palate.
5. Avoid alcohol: Try skipping alcohol consumption altogether, especially in the hours before you go to sleep.
If your snore regularly and it affects your energy level during the day, or if you have other more serious signs of chronic snoring, discuss the condition with your doctor.
Thank you for reading
Dr Kelly
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