Snoring happens when you are unable to freely move air through the nose and throat while sleeping, making the surrounding tissues vibrate and producing the familiar rumbling sound. Those who snore often have more nasal and throat tissue, making them more prone to the trait. Snoring can sometimes be discomforting, especially to the people around it or hearing it at night. What causes it? Are there any symptoms? What are the treatments for snoring? If you’ve ask these questions as well, then this article is perfect for you. Read on to learn more about snoring.
Snoring: What is It?
Snoring is the term we usually use to define both the sound and the act of the respiratory structures that vibrate due to a lack of air flow. This ranges from a soft, mild snoring to a loud, disturbing and disruptive volume. One common condition which snoring is indicative of is the obstructive sleep apnea. This is a condition often characterized by the obstruction of air flow, which blocks blood and oxygen flow to different essential organs in the body. Snoring may be a very exhausting and dangerous condition for the body to lever each and every night, even if you’re reasonably unmindful of it and only suffer the penalties when you wake up.
When you’re awake, you may feel daytime exhaustion or even tiredness for years (and even decades) without understanding that there is a certain problem with your sleeping practices. The muscles near the back of the throat, usually relaxed, may begin to contract and block the air flow to the nasal channel and mouth. This makes the air force its way through, creating the sound of snoring. Those who have obstructed sleeping apnea may have a relatively higher risk of heart conditions.
Snoring is not just a sign or cause of illness for the one suffering from it. The snorer’s partner, or anyone who is close to the person snoring, is also affected. They must deal with the unbearable noise of the snore! It may lead to sexual dysfunction, mood and sleeping disorder, separate sleeping arrangements and even depression.
Snoring: Is it Common?
Actually, any person can snore. Normally, people who don’t snore regularly have a tendency to experience it after a viral illness, when taking medications or after drinking alcohol. Those who snore may have any body type. It is not just the large man who may experience it, but also the thin one. Generally speaking, as we get older and gain weight, snoring may become worse.
Snoring: What are its Causes?
Obstructed sleep apnea is not actually the only cause or resulting illness related to snoring. Some other conditions may include:
- Airways or respiratory tissues that rub together in the throat
- A misplaced jaw due to chronic or excess tension of neck muscles
- A weak throat which cannot support its skin and muscles even though you are sleeping
- Accumulated excess fat in or around the throat
- Obstruction of sinuses and nasal passageways
- Sleeping on your back
- Drinking excessively or consuming drugs that are capable of relaxing the throat muscles
Some of the stated causes may get fixed, but there are also some that cannot.
Snoring: Health Risks
Habitual snorers may be at risk for various serious health problems, including obstructive sleep apnea. This creates several problems, such as:
- Poor sleep at night
- Strain on the heart
- Light sleeping
- Frequently waking up
- Interrupted sleeping
Treatments for Snoring
Here are some of the most valuable treatments for snoring:
- Stay hydrated: drinking plenty of water helps prevent the mouth from sticking together and prevents snores from passing through it.
- Mouth guard: this is one of the most convenient treatments for snoring. It brings the jaw slightly forward and reduces how crowded the back of the throat is, thus allowing more air to pass through and eliminating the snoring.
- Keep the bedroom clean: keeping the bedroom free of dust and any dirt will help prevent snoring.
- Good sleeping habits: having healthy sleeping habits is essential in the prevention of snoring. You must avoid having a constantly changing schedule, and always remember that the bed is for sleeping.
- Relieve congestion: congestion may result in severe snoring, so treating it is essential for eliminating the condition.
- Alcohol and drugs: both of these natural sedatives are beneficial in relaxing the body even more than the natural intensities of sleep. In particular, they lessen the resting tone and muscle power of the respiratory organs.
- Lose weight: losing weight is essential in improving your sleeping habits, thus preventing snoring. You will be sure to have a better sleep.
