Causes of snoring
NORMAL BREATHING
When we breathe, air passes through our nose and past the flexible structures at the back of our throat, including the tongue, soft palate and uvula. During waking hours, our muscles hold our airway open. When we fall asleep these muscles relax and muscle tone decreases, but our airway remains open. Snoring is the sound of obstructed breathing during sleep.
WHY DO WE SNORE?
When a snorer sleeps, the muscles and soft tissues in the throat create a partial and sometimes a complete obstruction to the airways. When this happens, it is your body’s natural reflex to try and maintain air volume in order to supply oxygen to your brain. Air velocity increases in that constricted space, which causes the soft tissue in your throat and mouth to vibrate.
Large tonsils, a long soft palate, an enlarged uvula and excess fat deposits contribute to our airway narrowing and causing us to snore. It has been shown that excess body weight, heavy alcohol consumption, sedatives and sleeping on your back can increase the severity of snoring.
HEALTH RISKS OF SNORING
Snoring is not only a social disturbance, it may also affect your health. Research has shown snoring is associated with the following common complaints:
- Feeling tired and listless, even after a long nights sleep
- Suffering with an annoying, scratchy or sore throat
- Having a dry mouth
- Experiencing high blood pressure
- Becoming dangerously tired when driving
- Needing to take catnaps during the day
- Feeling generally tired, lethargic and run down
- Morning headaches
OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APONEA
While snoring may be harmless, it can also be the sign of a more serious medical condition called obstructive sleep apnoea, or OSA. OSA is an extremely serious medical condition and if left undiagnosed, may lead to a number of serious health problems or even death.
People with untreated OSA stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep. This may happen hundreds of times during the night and often lasts for a minute or longer. OSA occurs when the tongue is sucked against the back of the throat. This blocks the upper airway and airflow stops. Not everyone who snores suffers from OSA.
SYMPTOMS OF OSA
Some of the symptoms of OSA are:
- Frequent arousals
- Inability to achieve or maintain deeper stages of sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Automobile accidents
- Decreased memory
- Depression
Additional physical signs include loud snoring and witnessed apneic episodes. Any of these may be a sign or symptom of OSA. Snorex can assist you to identify if you have any symptoms of OSA during a free consultation.