Snoring: Tested Remedies to Treat Sleep Disorder

Does snoring have you up all night? If you snore, you may be among the 45% of normal adults in the U.S who snore at least occasionally. Snoring is a common problem of both genders and tends to become more serious as people ages. While it occurs more frequently in men, the gap closes as women snore in equal numbers after menopause.

This sleep disorder not only impairs your sleep quality but also disrupts sleep patterns of your bed partner. It can negatively affect relationships between partners. About one-half of people who snore loudly have obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which breathing interrupts for short periods during sleep. Snoring can be a sign of a more serious health condition that shouldn’t be ignored. 

If your partner or you are experiencing chronic snoring, it is important to discover the causes, symptoms, and tested remedies to get a good night’s sleep.

Why Do People Snore? 

Snoring is a long and harsh sound that occurs when tissues in the back of mouth obstruct the airway. When you sleep, your muscle tone, throat, tongue, and roof of the mouth are relaxed. As you breathe while sleeping, air flows through your relaxed tissues which cause tissues in the throat to vibrate and produce irritating snoring sound. The more your airway narrows, the louder your snoring becomes.

There are various factors that can obstruct the airflow and cause snoring, including:

●        Nasal Deformity or Congestion - Chronic nasal congestion or crooked partition between your nostrils can cause snoring. People are likely to snore due to seasonal allergy or sinus infection. Enlarged or swollen sinus block nasal passages which may lead to cause snoring. Nasal deformities like nasal polyps or a deviated septum can also obstruct nasal airways.

●        The Anatomy of Your Airway - A low, thick soft palate or a long uvula can narrow the opening from the nose to the throat. As the air passes through these tissues, it leads to vibration which causes snoring. Likewise, you may have bulky throat tissues if you are overweight which can narrow your airway during the sleep cycle, causing snoring.

●        Poor Throat & Tongue Muscles - If your muscles in the throat and tongue can be too relaxed, it reduces the natural defense against airway obstruction and you tend to snore. This may be caused by consuming alcohol or taking sleeping pills before bedtime.

●        Sleep Deprivation & Position -  If you are not getting enough sleep, this can lead to further throat relaxation. Loss of sleep relaxes throat muscles and causes snoring. When you sleep on the back position, the effect of gravity on the throat narrows the airway, causing more frequent and louder snoring.

When Should You Take Snoring Seriously?

It may be difficult to self-diagnose the symptoms of snoring as it occurs during sleep. You may ask your bed partner to observe your sleep pattern. If you show any of the following symptoms while asleep, see your doctor for further evaluation and sleep disorder treatment.

●        Restless Sleep

●        Morning Headaches & Fatigue

●        Irregular Breathing

●        Decreased Concentration

●        Chest Pain at Night

●        Daytime Sleepiness

●        High Blood Pressure

●        Sleep Disruption

●        Sore Throat Upon Awakening

●        Gasping at Night

●        Behavioral Issues or Poor Academic Performance in Children

Health Risks & Complications of This Sleep Problem

Snoring can be a sign of a serious health problem, known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). If your snoring is associated with sleep apnea disorder, you may be at the risk of various health problems and complications, including:

●        Frequent Waking from Sleep - OSA causes the interruption in breathing during sleep by partial blockage of the airway. Due to irregular breathing, you may wake up frequently with a loud gasping sound. 

●        Light Sleeping - Sleep disruption interferes with the normal sleep pattern, causing you to sleep lightly than having a more restorative and deep sleep.

●        Higher Risk of Cardiovascular Problems - Fragmented sleep lowers oxygen levels in the blood, which in turn puts people in greater risk of high blood pressure, hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, and other heart diseases.

●        Drowsiness & Mood Swings - Sleep apnea may result in daytime sleepiness and can lead to behavioral problems like frequent frustration, aggression, learning problems, etc.

How to Stop Snoring? 

If your snoring is disrupting your life, consult your physician and try these remedies to treat snoring.

●        If you are overweight, make sure to get regular exercise as it improves muscle tone.

●        Sleep on your side as the right sleeping position allows the air to flow easily and reduce snoring.

●        Practice good sleeping habits by taking sufficient sleep.

●        Try nasal strips or an external nasal dilator to help reduce or stop snoring.

●        Take over-the-counter medications to treat chronic allergies.

●        If you have a nasal deformity or any structural problem in your nose, talk to your doctor for surgery.

●        Try continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy to treat obstructive sleep apnea.

Snoring is a sleep problem that not only disrupts your and your partner’s sleep but may also lead to some serious health conditions. If you want to get rid of snoring and looking for the best sleep disorder treatment in Brooklyn, NY, visit Artisans of Medicine today!