Snoring
About 45 percent of adults snore occasionally, and approximately 25 percent
are considered habitual snorers. Snoring has always been considered a social
nuisance. Snoring can however, indicate a more serious condition called
sleep apnea. Apnea means " no breath". While snoring can certainly be disruptive
to family life, the problems caused by snoring and sleep apnea include:
insomnia, hypertension, decreased blood oxygenation, morning headaches,
chronic daytime fatigue, strokes and cardiac arrest.
Many snorers have a condition known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The
tongue "super relaxes" during sleep. This makes it easy for the tongue
to get sucked back each time a breath is taken in. The result is a narrower
airway with less oxygen to the brain or completely obstructed breathing
for 10 seconds or more repeatedly while asleep. During the obstructed breathing
periods, the heart must pump harder to circulate the blood faster, resulting
in an irregular heartbeat, and eventually, elevated blood pressure and
heart enlargement. Additionally, people with sleep apnea awaken unrefreshed
and grow tired easily during the day.
Often snoring can be remedied by exercising, adopting regular sleep patterns,
sleeping on one's side, and avoiding alcoholic beverages and heavy meals
three hours before bedtime. However, some heavy snorers may require additional
help. Currently, the three most effective methods of treatment are:
-
Surgical removal of the uvula (the thing that
hangs down in the back of your throat)
-
Use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
(CPAP) device. This is an apparatus with a nose mask connected by a heavy
gauge tube to a compressor that pumps air into the nose all night.
-
Use of an anti-snoring device
The anti-snoring device is made after evaluating the severity of
the condition and the individual patient. It fits over the upper teeth
and provides a ramp to move the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep.
This in turn moves the tongue forward to prevent obstruction of the airway.
It is a safe, effective, and painless way to treat snoring and sleep apnea.
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