Seven Castles

Snoring

                                      

October 24, 2007

 

Snoring is noisy breathing through the open mouth and nose during sleep. It is a common condition that can affect all people at any age, although it occurs more frequently in men and people who are overweight and it has a tendency to worsen with age.

 

Snoring happens when the flow of air through the mouth and nose is physically obstructed. The walls of the throat vibrate during breathing, resulting in the distinctive sounds of snoring. Airflow can be obstructed by a combination of factors, like obstructed nasal airways, poor muscle tone in the throat and tongue, bulky throat tissue, long soft palate and/or uvula, the position you sleep in or a health condition. Some anatomical abnormalities like adenoids, large tonsils, jaw problems, and nasal blockages can also contribute to snoring or worsen it.

 

Snoring can lead to multiple arousals (wakefulness during the night) and severe sleep fragmentation. Both of these disturbances can result in excessive sleepiness during the day. Snoring does not usually cause any problems for the person doing it, but this nighttime annoyance may indicate a serious health condition. And loud and frequent snoring does affect partners, family and even neighbors if it keeps them awake.

 

Occasional snoring is usually not very serious and is mostly a nuisance for the bed partner of the person who snores. However, the habitual snorer not only disrupts the sleep patterns of those close to him, but also disturbs his own and may indicate a serious health condition that creates several problems, such as long interruptions of breathing (more than 10 seconds) during sleep and frequent waking from sleep. Habitual snorers snore whenever they sleep and are often tired after a night of what seems like quality rest. Medical assistance is usually needed for them to get a good night's sleep.

 

Adults who suffer from mild or occasional snoring should try these self-help remedies: adopt a healthy and athletic lifestyle to develop good muscle tone and lose weight; avoid tranquilizers, sleeping pills and antihistamines before bedtime; avoid alcohol for at least four hours and heavy meals or snacks for three hours before retiring; establish regular sleeping patterns; sleep on your side rather than your back; and tilt the head of your bed upwards four inches. Remember, snoring means obstructed breathing and obstruction can be serious. It is not funny, and not hopeless.

 

Very loud and persistent snoring commonly leads to severe strains on relationships because of the sleep disruption it causes. Snoring is not only socially serious, making the snorer an object of ridicule and causing others sleepless nights and resentfulness, but also medically serious, as it disturbs sleeping patterns and deprives the snorer of appropriate rest. When snoring is severe, it can cause serious, long-term health problems, including obstructive sleep apnea.

【作者: zhangliping】【访问统计:】【2007年10月24日 星期三 05:38】【注册】【打印】