Snoring: Serious Health Problem?

Breathing through the nose is the body's preferred method of receiving air because the nose acts as a humidifier, heater and filter for the breathed air, but when the nose becomes obstructed, the body is forced to receive its air through the mouth which does not filter, humidify, or heat the received air. This problem causes snoring. Snoring is defined as the noise produced while breathing through the mouth during sleep, caused by air passing relaxed tissues in the throat, causing the tissues to vibrate, creating hoarse or harsh sounds. This annoyance can disrupt a household and even ruin relationships. In fact, snoring is so common that one out of three adults snore at least a few nights a week. Studies actually show that 45 percent of men and 30 percent of women snore regularly. But can snoring be a sign of a serious health problem? If an adult snores loudly followed by a period of silence and then wakes up with a gasp or snort, this could be a sign of a serious problem called obstructive sleep apnea. Lifestyle changes and medical treatments can help stop snoring and the serious medical problems that follow it.

Is snoring serious? Socially and medically it is. Socially because it can make the snorer the object to ridicule and medically because it deprives the snorer of much needed rest. If the snoring is truly serious, it could cause long-term health problems such as obstructive sleep apnea.

Causes of snoring can vary on the person. One type could the anatomy of the mouth. The airways can narrow due to a low, thick soft palate or enlarged tonsils, or tissues in the back of the throat (adenoids). Another type can alcohol consumption. If an adult drank too much alcohol, it would relax the throat muscles because alcohol acts as a natural sedative. Nasal problems can also contribute to snoring. The partition between the nostrils could be crooked or the adult could suffer chronic nasal congestion. The final type that could cause snoring is a serious medical condition called obstructive sleep apnea. The throat tissues obstruct the airway, preventing breathing. Sleep apnea is loud snoring followed by periods of quietness that could last ten seconds, maybe more. The lack of oxygen and signals the brain to wake up, forcing the airway to open with a loud snort or gasp. This repeats itself over and over again in an adult who is affected by this. If this condition is left untreated, high blood pressure, heart failure and stroke could be the result.

There are two types of treatments available to general public. The first set of treatments, depending on the severity of the snoring, is medical treatments. The first treatment is oral appliances. To help advance the position of the tongue and the soft palate an oral appliance, which is a form fitting dental mouthpiece, is used to keep the air passageway open. In order to use an oral appliance, a visit to the dentist si required. If this option is chosen, a visit to the dentist once every six months for the first year and then annually after that is required so that the dentist can be sure that the oral appliance is helping relieve snoring, not make it worse. The second treatment is traditional surgery. A procedure called uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is used where the physicians give anesthesia and tighten and trim the excess tissue (a face life for the throat). A third treatment is called laser surgery. This option is an outpatient surgery procedure called laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP). The physician who performs this surgery uses a small, handheld laser beam to remove the uvula and shorten the soft palate. The removal of the extra tissue opens the airway to allow more breathing and reduces vibration. More than one session may be required. Laser surgery is not recommended for occasional or light snorers or for obstructive sleep apnea. This surgery is strongly recommended for loud and disruptive snorers. A fourth treatment is radio frequency tissue ablation (somnoplasty). Like the laser surgery, this option is an outpatient surgery that uses local anesthesia. But unlike the laser surgery, this surgery uses a low-intensity radio frequency signal to remove part of the soft palate to reduce snoring. The last treatment is called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This method involves wearing a mask over the nose during sleep. Attached to a small pump, the mask forces air through the airway to keep it open, eliminating snoring and preventing sleep apnea. CPAP is the preferred method of treating obstructive sleep apnea although most people find it uncomfortable.

Another or second set of treatments are called self-care treatments. These treatments can be used if the snoring is not a serious medical problem. The first is about weight. Bulkiness in the throat can narrow the airway causing loose throat tissues to vibrate during breathing. Being overweight is a very common cause for snoring, but losing that weight can get rid of the snoring problem. The second self-care treatment is sleep on the side. Lying on the back makes the tongue fall back in the throat, narrowing the airway and partially obstructing airflow. Sleeping on the side of the body prevents this action from happening and allows airflow to move freely. Sewing an object on the back of a pajama top can help prevent from sleeping on the back. The third method is using nasal strips, which open the nasal passages to allow better breathing. Treating nasal congestion or obstruction is another method that can be used. Having allergies can limit airflow through the nose forcing breathing to be done through the mouth, which would increase snoring. Using an oral or spray decongestant can help alleviate this problem. The last method of self-care is to limit or avoid alcohol consumption and sedatives.

Snoring is common among adults. Although sometimes it may not be serious, it could be if it is repetitive, loud or soft, or even stops breathing then it's a serious medical condition and if left untreated it could lead to other more serious problems. There are several treatments both medical and self-care that can relieve the snoring problem. If you believe that your snoring may be serious, consult your doctor and together the both of you can decide on the best treatment for you.