Snoring
Houston Texas
Everyone has a snoring story to tell. Whether it
be the time you woke up the whole house sawing logs as a kid, or the
time your partner kept you up all night when you had a big meeting
the next day, snoring is an all too common occurrence. Snoring is
responsible for countless hours of lost sleep, and a good majority
of couples sleeping in separate rooms. But what many may not know is
that snoring can be a danger to your health in addition to
bothersome. Research has shown snoring to be a cause of divorce or
separation in many cases.
What causes snoring?
Quite simply, snoring is caused by a partially obstructed airway.
When you sleep, the soft tissue and muscles in your mouth and throat
relax, causing your airway to become smaller. If your airway becomes
small enough, your soft palate and uvula begin to vibrate when you
inhale and exhale. These vibrations are the cause of the sound most
people call snoring. This is very much like a reed musical
instrument.
How common is snoring
According to recent sleep studies, approximately 45% of the
general population, 30% of men and women over age 30, 40% of the
middle-aged population, and 6% of children snore on a regular basis.
Is snoring dangerous?
Forty-five percent of normal adults snore at least occasionally,
and 25 percent are habitual snorers. According to the Journal of
American Medical Association (JAMA), snorers have three times as
many motor vehicle accidents as non-snorers. Problem snoring is more
frequent in males and overweight persons and it usually grows worse
with age. Snoring sounds are caused when there is an obstruction to
the free flow of air through the passages at the back of the mouth
and nose. There are patients whose snoring has decibel levels as
loud as jet engines and even some who have had neighbors in the
apartment or even the house next door call the police to complain
about the noise.
Only recently have the adverse medical effects of snoring and its
association with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Upper Airway
Resistance Syndrome (UARS) been recognized. Various methods are used
to alleviate snoring and/or OSA. They include behavior modification,
sleep positioning, appliance therapy, Continuous Positive Airway
Pressure (CPAP), Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), and Laser
Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty (LAUP), and jaw adjustment techniques.
Snoring and sleep apnea
Snoring can be a strong indicator of the condition known as sleep
apnea. As one of the most common symptoms, partners with concerns
are often the ones to bring this problem to light and ask the snorer
to seek sleep disorder/sleep apnea treatment. Sleep apnea patients
are actually lucky that the condition manifests vocally, so the
condition can be treated early, before it becomes life threatening.
Because of the intermittent periods of stopped breathing, patients
do not get the amount of oxygen needed and health risks are
increased. Sleep apnea has been linked to cases of heart attack,
stroke, hypertension, high blood pressure and other dangerous
conditions. If you notice heavy snoring in your loved one, ask him
or her to see a sleep apnea professional.
How snoring affects others
In a Mayo Clinic sleep study, researchers estimated that snorers
cause their partners to lose about an hour of sleep each night, on
average. Even if sleep apnea is not indicated, the disruption of the
sleep cycles of family members can create a hazard. Recent studies
have indicated that repeated disruption of sleep patterns can cause
sufferers to perform motor skills at or below the levels of
individuals who are legally intoxicated! So even if your snoring is
not a sign of sleep apnea, it is likely that your snoring could be a
real threat to your loved ones because impaired reaction behind the
wheel of an automobile can lead to disaster regardless of the cause.
How to lessen the effects of snoring
While there is no one magic solution, there are several ways to
control snoring and help your partner get a good nights rest. Limit
the use of alcohol and sedatives as they tend to increase snoring.
Also, try to keep your weight at a healthy range, as weight gain is
usually a factor in heavy snorers. If Dr. Mills does find signs of
sleep apnea, there are several viable treatment options. A variety
of oral appliances are available to control snoring and act as
"volume control." Medication, behavioral therapy, surgery and
anti-aging medication are a few of your options. If you or a loved
one snores, make sure it is not hazardous to your health. See a
sleep apnea doctor as soon as possible and avoid the potential
health risks associated with snoring.
Why treat snoring and sleep apnea?
Snoring has not only been discovered as a symptom of sleep apnea,
but many believe it may actually cause sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a
condition that has been linked to numerous injuries and even death.
Oxygen flow to the brain is restricted, and the patient is put at
risk for potentially life-threatening health problems. Following the
drop in oxygen that occurs during an apneic episode, reoxygenation
releases enormous numbers of free radicals into the system. If left
untreated, patients with apnea are 4 times more likely to suffer
from a stroke, and 3 times more likely to contract heart disease.
Sleep apnea patients run a higher risk of having hypertension,
diabetes and other related conditions. Sleep apnea patients often
experience lack of energy and daytime drowsiness due to their
interrupted sleeping patterns, which can essentially affect every
aspect of their lives.
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