|
Snoring is an audible and typically recurrent sound
that is produced by some sleepers. It is more common in men,
and is much more likely to occur as we get older. One study
has shown that more than 60% of men and more than 40% of women
over the age of 60 describe themselves as regular snorers. While
gentle snoring usually doesn’t give rise to many complaints,
loud snoring can be quite annoying to one’s spouse or
bed partner, and can be the source of strained relationships.
Historical sources note that some men have been shot in their
sleep by neighbors who could no longer tolerate their snoring!
Snoring sounds are produced by air passing over the soft tissue
in the upper airway as the sleeper breathes in and out. Snoring
occurs during sleep, and not during wakefulness, because the
muscles that keep the upper airway open automatically relax
during sleep. The soft tissue in the airway (areas such as
the uvula, tonsils, and soft palate) actually sag down into
the airway opening, and the air passing over these areas causes
them to vibrate and make that unmistakable snoring sound.
Risk factors for snoring include: obesity (overweight), hypothyroidism
(low thyroid function), and tobacco use. Some people are born
with a small or narrow airway, while others have conditions
that interfere with normal breathing (such as nasal polyps
or deviated septum). In either case, snoring is more likely
to occur. Snoring also can arise with sleep deprivation, with
common colds or allergies, when sleeping on one’s back,
or as a result of the use of alcohol or certain sleeping pills.
Most snoring probably is not associated with health concerns,
but is a problem that snorers and their loved ones would like
resolved. Simple treatments include weight loss, avoidance
of alcohol or sleep aids that relax muscles, treatment of
nasal congestion or allergies, or the use of over-the-counter
devices such as tape strips that help open your nasal passages.
Every spouse of a snorer can tell you that sleeping on your
side also reduces the likelihood of snoring. Some people can
sleep on their sides at will; others might want to try using
an old tennis ball sewn into the center of the back of a T-shirt,
which “reminds” the sleeper to roll over whenever
he’s on his back. Oral appliances, usually fit by a
dentist, may be helpful. Finally, a variety of surgical procedures
provided by Ear, Nose, and Throat specialists can provide
a long-term solution to the problem of snoring.
Snoring actually may be a health concern for some. Medical
reports have shown that snoring is associated with a sleep-related
breathing disorder known as “sleep apnea.” Approximately
five out of every 100 snorers has sleep apnea, a very serious
medical condition that is associated with breathing pauses
during sleep (see Sleep Apnea fact sheet). People with sleep
apnea often suffer from debilitating daytime fatigue and sleepiness,
and they are at significantly greater risk than others for
stroke, irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, and death.
The treatment plan for a person with sleep apnea is quite
different from one for an individual with simple snoring,
so medical evaluation and follow-up care is essential.
For more information about snoring please speak to your doctor.
Additional information may be found at www.clinilabs.com,
and patient information booklets are available by calling
212-994-5100.
|
|
|
|
