Snoring And Allergies
The noise of snoring is generated by airflow trying
to push its way through an obstructed airway. Whilst snoring in
itself is not an illness it is often symptomatic of other health
conditions, one of which is an allergic reaction to an irritant.
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Allergic rhinitis is a health condition in which the membrane lining
the nose and throat becomes inflamed. It is usually triggered
by an allergic reaction to an inhaled substance. Seasonal allergic
rhinitis is often called hay fever.
When the membrane lining the nasal
passageways becomes inflamed it causes an obstruction to the
airway and, as we have already established, it is just such
a blockage that creates the symptom of snoring.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis is usually due to grass, tree and
other plant pollens and it occurs mainly during the spring
and summer when pollen counts are high. Year long allergic
rhinitis, or perennial allergic rhinitis as it is also
known, is more usually caused by an allergy to house dust,
dust mites, animal fur, feathers or mould spores. |
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The symptoms of allergic rhinitis are very
obvious, and include: itchy, irritated nose, sneezing,
blocked or runny nose, red watery itchy eyes, snoring, headache,
and nosebleeds. If you are unable to identify the substance
that is prompting the allergic reaction your doctor may
carry out a skin prick test to determine just which
substance is provoking such a reaction within your body.
However, it is not uncommon for the allergen
to avoid identification which leaves sufferers unable to
take action to avoid whatever is causing the problem.
If the allergen can be identified and then avoided symptoms
usually subside very rapidly without further treatment.
However, sometimes it is not so easy to avoid allergens in
which case it may be necessary to take an anti-allergy drug.
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Some anti-allergy drugs are available in the
form of nasal sprays, often containing sodium cromoglicate,
a substance that blocks the allergy. Corticosteroid drugs
are often prescribed for hay fever although their effect is
not instantaneous. Nasal sprays can be used as
decongestants, but their long term use is not recommended.
Oral ant-histamines may be used in conjunction with a
decongestant to relieve inflammation and itching.
If allergic rhinitis is a persistent problem immunotherapy
may be offered. This is a treatment that works to
desensitize the immune system. Patients are injected with
gradually increasing doses of the allergen to encourage the
body’s own systems to adapt and accept the substance without
reacting. The problem with immunotherapy is that it can take
as long as four years for the treatment to be completed and
it is not always successful. |
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If you feel your snoring problem is caused by allergic
rhinitis there are steps you can take to help yourself.
Avoid any furry animals; replace feather filled quilts and
pillows with ones containing synthetic stuffing; cover your
mattress with a mite proof membrane; remove soft furnishings
where possible to avoid dust collecting; avoid areas of long
grass or where the grass is being cut and have your car
fitted with a pollen filter. You should find that your snoring problem
diminishes or even disappears altogether.
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