Effects, Causes And Prevention Of Snoring.

Snoring is a common phenomenon that occurs when there is turbulent airflow in the throat and mouth during sleep, causing the tissues in these areas to vibrate.

Effects of snoring

Snoring can have a range of effects, not only on the person who snores but also on their bed partner and overall health. The severity and impact of these effects can vary depending on the underlying causes of snoring. The following are some effects of snoring on a human being:

1. Sleep Disruption: Snoring can lead to fragmented and poor-quality sleep for both the snorer and their bed partner. Frequent awakenings during the night can result in sleep deprivation, leading to daytime drowsiness and reduced cognitive function.
2. Daytime Fatigue: Snoring-related sleep disruptions can cause excessive daytime sleepiness, which can impair a person’s ability to concentrate, make decisions, and perform daily tasks. This can increase the risk of accidents, both at home and at work.
3. Relationship Strain: If snoring is loud and persistent, it can strain relationships. Bed partners may become sleep-deprived and frustrated, leading to communication and intimacy issues.
4. Health Risks: In some cases, snoring can be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition called sleep apnea, where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Sleep apnea is associated with several health risks, including an increased risk of cardiovascular problems (e.g., high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke), diabetes, and obesity.
5. Mental Health: Chronic snoring and sleep disturbances can contribute to mood disorders like irritability, anxiety, and depression.
6. Impaired Memory and Concentration: Poor-quality sleep due to snoring can affect memory consolidation and cognitive function, leading to memory problems and difficulties with tasks that require focus and attention.
7. Decreased Libido: Both the snorer and their partner may experience a reduced sex drive due to fatigue and stress caused by disrupted sleep.
8. Daytime Headaches: Some people who snore may wake up with headaches due to the reduced oxygen levels in their bloodstream during sleep, particularly if snoring is associated with sleep apnea.
9. Cardiovascular Risks: Chronic snoring and sleep apnea have been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and other cardiovascular problems.
10. Metabolic Issues: Sleep disturbances, including those caused by snoring, can affect metabolism and increase the risk of weight gain and obesity.
11. Behavioral Problems in Children: Snoring can also affect children, leading to poor sleep quality, behavioral issues, and difficulty concentrating in school.

Causes of Snoring

Snoring is a common phenomenon that normally starts in the head and causes sound that comes out of the mouth.Snoring comes about due to variety of factors that work hand in hand. Here are some causes of snoring:

1. Nasal congestion: Blockage or congestion in the nasal passages can force you to breathe through your mouth, increasing the likelihood of snoring. Allergies, sinus infections, or a deviated septum can lead to nasal congestion.
2. Obesity: Excess body weight, especially around the neck, can put pressure on the throat’s airway, narrowing it and increasing the risk of snoring.
3. Age: As people age, their throat muscles tend to become weaker, and the throat’s airway can narrow, making snoring more likely.
4. Alcohol and sedatives: Consuming alcohol or sedative medications relax the muscles in your throat, which can lead to increased snoring.
5. Sleep position: Sleeping on your back often causes the tongue and soft palate to collapse to the back of the throat, obstructing airflow and causing snoring.
6. Smoking: Smoking can irritate and inflame the throat and nasal tissues, making snoring more likely.
7. Sleep apnea: This is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, but it can also have more severe health implications.
8. Anatomy: Some individuals have naturally narrow throats or enlarged tonsils or adenoids, which can lead to snoring.
9. Sleep deprivation: Not getting enough quality sleep can relax throat muscles and increase the likelihood of snoring.
10. Sleep position: Sleeping on your back can cause the tongue and soft palate to collapse to the back of the throat, partially obstructing airflow and causing snoring. Sleeping on your side may reduce snoring.
11. Lifestyle factors: Certain behaviors, such as consuming heavy meals close to bedtime or not maintaining a regular sleep schedule, can contribute to snoring.
12. Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to nasal congestion and weight gain, increasing the risk of snoring in pregnant women.

How Snoring Can Be Prevented

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight: Try to lose weight and eat better.
2. Avoid Certain Medications: Don’t use sleep aids, tranquilizers, or antihistamines before bedtime.
3. Watch Your Diet: Avoid heavy meals and alcohol at least four hours before sleeping.
4. Stick to a Sleep Schedule: Try to go to bed at the same time every night.
5. Sleep on Your Side: Sleep on your side instead of your back.
6. Elevate Your Head: Raise the head of your bed by about four inches, not just your pillows.
7. Nasal Strips: Consider using nasal strips, which help keep your nasal passages open.
8. Oral Appliance: Consult with a healthcare provider about using a mouthguard that keeps your jaw in the right position to improve airflow during sleep.

There are further tips that can be suggested by doctors when the above tips are not useful. One’s doctor could suggest the following:

• Steroid Nasal Spray: If your snoring is due to nasal swelling, a doctor might recommend a nasal spray.
• Dental Appliances: For some snorers, dental devices or nasal strips can help.
• CPAP Machine: If you have sleep apnea, a machine with a mask worn over your nose and/or mouth can keep your airways open during sleep.
• Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be needed to fix physical issues causing snoring. This could include procedures like somnoplasty, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, palate surgery, or using an upper airway stimulator called Inspire.

Remember, snoring can have different causes, so it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional to find the right solution for your specific situation.

SOURCE: https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/snoring-treatments.