Snoring is the hoarse or harsh sound that occurs when your breathing is partially obstructed in some way while you're sleeping. Sometimes snoring may indicate a serious health condition. In addition, snoring can be a nuisance to your partner.
As many as half of adults snore sometimes. Snoring occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing the tissues to vibrate as you breathe, which creates those irritating sounds.
Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol close to bedtime or sleeping on your side, can help stop snoring.
In addition, medical devices and surgery are available that may reduce disruptive snoring. However, these aren't suitable or necessary for everyone who snores.
SYMPTOMS OF SNORING.
The following symptoms could be present depending on the reason you snore:
- Noisy sleeping.
- Excessive slumber during the day
- Difficulty paying attention
- Unwell throat
- Erratic sleeping
- At night, gasping or choking
-
Elevated blood pressure
- Nighttime chest ache
CAUSES OF SNORING.
Snoring can be caused by a variety of things, including your weight, alcohol use, allergies, a cold, and the structure of your mouth and sinuses.
The muscles in your throat, tongue and soft palate relax when you nod asleep and transition from light to deep sleep. Your throat's tissues may become so relaxed that they partially obstruct your airway and vibrate. Additionally, the airflow increases stronger the more restricted your airway is. Your snoring will get louder as a result of the increased tissue vibration that results from this.
The conditions listed below can obstruct the airway and result in snoring:
1. The Structure Of Your Mouth.A low, thick soft palate can make your airway smaller. Extra throat tissue in overweight people may cause their airways to become more restricted. The triangle tissue that hangs from the soft palate (the uvula), which can be enlarged, can also block airflow and enhance the vibration.
2. Alcoholic Addiction.
Drinking too much alcohol right before bed can also cause snoring. Alcohol weakens your body's natural defences against airway congestion by relaxing your throat muscles.
3. Nasal Issues.
Your snoring may be caused by persistent nasal congestion or a deviated nasal septum, a bent wall separating your nostrils.
4. Apneic Sleep. Additionally, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea may go hand in hand. Your neck tissues may totally or partially obstruct your airway in this critical illness, which makes it impossible for you to breathe.
Loud snoring that is frequently followed by periods of quiet during which breathing stops or almost stops are signs of sleep apnea. This reduction or pause in breathing may eventually cause you to awaken, and you might do so with a loud gasp or snort. Due to sleep disruption, you can have light sleep. Throughout the night, this breathing rhythm may be repeated numerous times.
Every hour of sleep for people with sleep apnea often includes at least five instances of breathing that slows or pauses.
HOME REMEDIES AND LIFESTYLE HEALTH.
Try these suggestions to stop or quiet snoring:
1. Reduce weight.
Overweight people may snore more due to excess throat tissue in their throats. Snoring can be decreased by losing weight.
2. Go to bed on your side.
When you're lying on your back, your tongue might slide back into your neck, constricting it and partially blocking airflow. Consider switching to your side. Try sewing a tennis ball in the back of your pyjama top if you discover that you frequently wake up on your back in the middle of the night.
3. Raise your bed's head.
Your bed's head might be raised by around four inches.
4. Nasal Strips.
Many people extend the area of their nasal passage using adhesive strips, which improves their ability to breathe. However, patients with sleep apnea cannot use these strips.
5. Treat nasal blockage or congestion.
A deviated septum or allergies may prevent enough airflow through your nose. As a result, you are more likely to snore since you are forced to breathe via your mouth.
If you have acute congestion, don't use an oral or spray decongestant for more than three days in a row unless your doctor instructs you to. The prolonged use of these drugs may have a rebound effect, aggravating your congestion. If you have persistent congestion, speak with your doctor about a prescription steroid spray.
