Snoring-causes and teatment

 snoring

What is snoring?

 Snoring is sonorous sound with breathing during sleep, caused by vibrations in the upper airways from the nose to the back of the throat. It is caused by partially obstructed breathing during sleep.

 What are the facts?

 Snoring is extremely common and only rarely indicates obstructive sleep apnoea (slowing or stopping of breathing for short periods while sleeping). It is 3 times more common in obese persons and increases as we get older. 

It varies from being an annoyance to others (the snorer is usually oblivious to the problem) to indicating obstructive sleep apnoea. 

What makes snoring worse? 

• Obesity • Old age • Sleeping on the back • Excess alcohol • Neck problems, especially a ‘thick’, inflexible neck • Various drugs, especially sedatives and sleeping pills • Hay fever and other causes of nasal congestion • Problems in the upper airways such as nasal polyps, enlarged tonsils or a foreign body (e.g. a piece of plastic or metal)

 What are the risks? 

Snoring is generally a harmless problem but if it is very severe, unusual or associated with regulated periods of no breathing (usually longer than 10 seconds) then it is advisable to have it assessed in a special sleep laboratory. It may indicate obstructive sleep apnoea. The social risks are a major problem as it can lead to a breakdown of relationships, to varying degrees. Heavy snorers should have a thorough examination of the upper airways (nose to throat) and of the neck. 

What is the treatment?

 If an examination rules out a physical problem causing obstruction in the back of the nose and obstructive sleep apnoea, then the following simple measures can be tried:

 • Obtain and keep to ideal weight. Overweight people could attend a weight-loss group such as Weight Watchers and take regular exercise.

 • Avoid drugs (including sedatives and sleeping tablets), alcohol in excess and smoking.

 • Treat nasal congestion (including hay fever) but avoid the overuse of nasal decongestants. 

• For neck problems, keep the neck extended at night by wearing a soft collar. 

• Consider a trial of an intranasal or oral device to help keep your airways open during sleep. Your pharmacist can advise you about the range of such devices. 

• Try to sleep on your side. If you tend to roll onto your back at night, a maverick method is to consider sewing ping pong balls or tennis balls on the back of the nightwear. Others wear a bra (with tennis balls) back to front. 

Special surgical procedures may solve the problem for some people with very severe snoring. Others may be helped with special machines that deliver continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) through a face mask. Special anti-snoring pillows have not proved to be any better than regular pillows nor has raising the head of the bed.

 When all else fails, provide those affected in the household with ear plugs or alternative sleeping arrangements.