INTRODUCTION: Snoring is caused by a narrowing of your airways, either from poor sleep posture or abnormalities of the soft tissues in your throat. It can be mild, meaning that it stops when you wake up and turn over, or severe, when you suffer continually, regardless of sleep position. It is known to cause sleep deprivation to both the snorer and those who hear him/her, as well as effects such as daytime drowsiness, irritability, lack of focus, decreased libido.



It's a condition that gets worse with age and is usually harmless. Snoring is more common in those who are overweight. Statistics are frequently contradictory, but at least 30% of grown-ups and maybe as many as 50% of people in some demographics snore.

APNEA: The word "apnea" refers to the absence of breathing. Besides the 'noise', more complex conditions such as sleep apnea can be consistent with the symptom of snoring. If your child snores frequently, have your MD check for sleep apnea. While snoring is caused by narrow air passages, sleep apnea is a true breathing obstruction, which requires the sleeper to awaken to start breathing again. A person with this condition wakes up many times each night to regain breathing, but usually remembers nothing at all about the awakenings.

Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, but by itself does not involve the cessation of breathing. About one-half of people who snore loudly have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Not all people with these problems are overweight. But weight gain will make existing snoring or apnea even worse. Avoid alcohol, muscle relaxants, and certain medications. These substances are known to increase these sleep problems.

TREATMENT: Almost all treatments revolves around clearing the blockage in the breathing passage. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a relatively new surgical treatment. This treatment applies radiofrequency energy and heat (between 77C to 85C) to the soft tissue at the back of the throat, such as the soft palate and uvula, causing scarring of the tissue beneath the skin. The procedure takes less than one hour, is often performed on an outpatient basis, and usually requires several treatment sessions.

See your MD or dentist to discuss the medical treatments available and to decide which might aid you. The treatment you need depends on whether you have simple snoring or with sleep apnea. If you do have sleep apnea, then your treatment will also depend on the severity of your condition. It requires careful monitoring of your treatment.

CONCLUSION: Snoring is the vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting noise, due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping. It can be decreased by changing position on the bed. Sleeping on your side is a possible solution. To avoid rolling back it is possible to put a pillow or a "ball" on the back; raising the head is also another option, beneficial both while lying on the back or for supporting the head while lying on the side.

It's a problem that can affect both the physical as well as social intimacies of a relationship and can also be a symptom of sleep apnea, which can be life-threatening. It not only effects you, but also all those around you.

By learning the causes and solutions, you can improve your health, your relationships, as well as your sleep. Habitual snoring has been found in about 24% of adult females and 40% of adult males. Most people don't realize that just by changing variables in your environment (like the climate inside your room), you could put up a good fight against your condition. Smoking tends to create nasal congestion, thus giving rise to the problem. The best way to prevent it is to stop smoking. Alcohol can also be held responsible for the condition. Decrease your alcohol intake and that will take care of your snoring problem also.