Snoring
Snoring, or the sound of noisy breathing during
sleep, can be caused by a number of health conditions. It may even
be a symptom of a serious disorder called sleep apnea.
Children and adults between the ages of 40 and 60 are most commonly
affected by snoring with it being thought to be more prevalent in
males.
If medical examination rules out any underlying disease or health
condition, the most common causes of snoring are:
being overweight
drinking alcohol
smoking
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The characteristic sounds of snoring are made
when the soft tissues at the back of the palate vibrate.
Most people do not consider snoring to be a significant
health problem but the disturbance and loss of sleep caused
by snoring can be distressing to those affected and their
partners.
Vibration of the soft palate may be caused by an obstruction
or narrowing of the passage leading from the back of the
nasal cavity to the throat the nasopharynx.
This obstruction can occur for a number of reasons the
most common being when an individual is overweight. Those
who sleep on their backs may also find that their snoring
worsens as the nasopharynx is more likely to become blocked
or partially blocked when the body is in this position. |
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When the tissues of the soft palate become
relaxed or swollen this can also lead to snoring as they
collapse into and narrow the nasopharynx passage. This tissue
becomes relaxed as a result of drinking alcohol or taking
sedatives and it becomes swollen as a result of a throat
infection or irritation caused by tobacco smoke.
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Of course the common cold has a part to play
in snoring too. The common cold causes nasal congestion
which in turn blocks or partially blocks the nasal
passageways leading to very noisy breathing, particularly
when the sufferer is asleep.
Occasionally, the wall of cartilage that is the physical
structure separating the two nostrils called the nasal
septum is slightly misshapen or off centre. This is called
a deviated nasal septum. Such anatomical abnormalities
obstruct the passage of air and often lead to snoring too.
This is more commonly the cause of snoring in men than women
as it often occurs as the result of injury sustained in a
contact sport and it is the males of the species who are
more likely to participate in such sports.
Snoring in children usually occurs as a result of an
infection in and associated enlargement of the tonsils
tonsillitis or adenoids. |
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If snoring is thought to be caused by sleep apnea
it is essential that medical advice is sought, otherwise there
are a number of self help measures that may bring relief to
sufferers (and their partners.)
By making it uncomfortable to sleep on their backs, those who
snore can be encouraged to sleep on their sides or front. This
can be achieved by sewing a small object into the back of their
nightwear a tennis ball is often suggested for this purpose.
As with most health conditions nowadays, the first thing to
consider is whether any excess weight is being carried. If so,
it will be helpful to lose the extra weight as this will reduce
the flabbiness of the soft palate and reduce the snoring.
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