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Stop
Snoring - A Snoring
& Sleep Apnea Guide
All
About Your Snoring & Sleep Apnea Problem
The definitions of Snoring
and the more serious Sleep Apnea are:
Snoring
Is caused by the vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting
sound, due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping.
The sound may be soft or loud and unpleasant. The structures are
usually the uvula and soft palate.
Sleep
Apnea
Sleep Apnea is the medical term for "stopping breathing".
Many over weight people have difficulty breathing when they sleep. The
fatty tissues in the pharynx and neck can compress the airway and block
it. When this occurs, the body's carbon dioxide levels rise to
uncomfortable and possible unsafe levels.
Statistics
on snoring are often contradictory, though it is well documented that
at least 30% of adults (and perhaps as many as 50% of people) snore.
One survey of 5713 Italian residents identified habitual snoring in 24%
of men and 13.8% of women, rising to 60% of men and 40% of women aged
60 to 65 years. This obviously suggests an increased susceptibility to
snoring as you get older.
Common causes of Snoring and
Sleep Apnea;
- Throat
weakness, causing the throat to close during sleep
- Mispositioned
jaw, often caused by tension in the muscles
- Fat
gathering in and around the throat
- Obstruction
in the nasal passageway
The Impact
of Snoring
Snoring is known to cause sleep
deprivation to snorers (and those around them), as well as
drowsiness during waking hours along with irritability, lack of focus
and a significant lowering of the libido.
Many studies have revealed a definite link between loud snoring
and risk of heart attack. An increase of about 34% chance in
experiencing a heart attack and approximately 67% higher chance of
stroke
Though snoring is often disregarded as a trivial problem, snorers can
sometimes suffer severe health issues associated with the condition
that they would not otherwise suffer.
Snoring
Diagnosis
Usually, snoring is recognized by a friend or partner who observes the
sufferer sleeping. Apart from the obvious 'noise' associated with
snoring, more complex conditions such as Sleep Apnea can be similar to
symptoms of snoring. A sleep study can identify such issues. Patients
can also assess their own condition to determine the likelihood of such
problems based on the severity of their sleeping difficulties.
Snoring
& Sleep Apnea Treatment
Almost all treatments for snoring revolve around clearing the blockage
in the airways. One common treatment of snoring (and sleep apnea) is to
lose weight. This reduces the likelihood of fatty deposits from
pressing on the throat.
Another preventative treatment is to stop smoking as smoking weakens
and clogs the throat. Sleeping on your side (to prevent the tongue from
blocking the throat) may also help.
Other
Snoring & Sleep Apnea Remedies
Dental appliances
Specially made dental treatments called mandibular
advancement splints lower the jaw slightly thereby pulling
you tongue forward and out of the way of your airways. Typically, a
dentist specializing in sleep apnea is consulted.
Such appliances have been proven to be effective in reducing snoring
and sleep apnea in mild cases. Possible though rare side effects
include gradual movement of the teeth, (known as Temporomandibular
joint disorder) and excessive salivation and possible gum irritation.
Over the counter mandibular advancement splints provide the
same benefits if fitted correctly. They are usually made from a polymer
and are similar in appearance to protective mouth-guards worn by many
sports people. A disadvantage of the cheaper devices compared to the
professionally fitted devices is the difficulty in setting up the
correct jaw position.
An over-advanced jaw results in jaw joint pain, whilst an
under-advanced jaw produces no therapeutic effect. In the United
States, mandibular advancement splints are currently considered class 2
medical devices and cannot be legally sold without a prescription.
A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine is often used to
control sleep apnea and the snoring associated with it. This help to
keep the airways open. These are a shoebox-sized device that pumps a
controlled stream of air through a flexible hose to a mask worn over
the nose, mouth, or both.
Sleep
Apnea & Snoring Remedy via Surgery
Surgery is also available as a method of correcting social snoring.
Some procedures, such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, attempt to widen
the airway by removing tissues in the back of the throat, including the
uvula and pharynx.
These surgeries are quite invasive and there are risks of adverse side
effects. The most dangerous risk is that enough scar tissue could form
within the throat as a result of the incisions to make the airway more
narrow than it was prior to surgery
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a relatively new surgical treatment
for snoring. This treatment applies radiofrequency energy and heat
(between 77°C to 85°C) to the soft tissue at the back of the throat
causing scarring of the tissue beneath the skin.
After healing, this results in stiffening of the treated area. The
procedure takes less than one hour, is usually performed on an
outpatient basis, and usually requires several treatment sessions.
Discomfort and pain is usually minimal. Radiofrequency ablation is
frequently effective in reducing the severity of snoring, but, often
does not completely eliminate snoring.
Bipolar radiofrequency ablation, a technique used for coblation
tonsillectomy, is also used for the treatment of snoring.
Positioning
Snoring can be reduced by changing position on the bed; Sleeping on the
side is a possible solution, to avoid rolling back it is possible to
place a pillow or a "ball" on the back; raising the head is also
another option, useful both while lying on the back or for supporting
the head while lying on the side.
Other
Snoring & Sleep Apnea Treatments
Devices such as nose clips can dilate the nostrils and other devices
can alter jaw mechanics to keep the jaw in an optimum position.
Different aids and practices may work for different people.
According to a 2005 article in the British Medical Journal, playing the
didgeridoo can also help, as it increases muscle usage in the throat.
However, snoring is a recognized medical problem and people who snore
should always seek professional medical advice before relying on
techniques which may mask symptoms (i.e. snoring) but not treat the
underlying condition.
Coping
as a Partner of a Snorer
Earplugs may facilitate good sleep for people sharing the same bedroom
with someone who snores (earmuffs are not designed to sleep with).
There are also attempts to develop "sleep pillows", which show promise,
though at the time of writing none have reached the general market yet.
We strive to provide only quality articles, so if
there is a specific topic related to snoring that you would
like us to cover, please contact us at any time.
And
again, thank you to those contributing daily to
our snoring
website.
TheTeam@awareness-guide.com
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