You probably know at least one person who snores. It could be your partner parents grandparents or even YOU that snore at various noise levels.
Some laugh and make jokes about it but it can be a symptom of a serious disorder called obstructive sleep apnea. And if it is obstructive sleep apnea then it is no laughing matter; that individual needs to get evaluated by a sleep specialist.
what is snoring?
Snoring is a noise produced when an individual breathes (usually produced when inhaling) during sleep which in turn causes vibration of the soft palate and uvula (that thing that hangs down in the back of the throat). An estimated 45% of normal adults snore at least occasionally and 25% do so habitually according the American Academy of Otolaryngology. Problem snoring is more common in men and in people who are overweight. And snoring usually gets worse with advancing age.
The word "apnea" means the absence of breathing. Unfortunately men are hit with more bouts of disruptive snoring than women. Sorry guys but even if you don't think you snore you probably do.
treatment for snoring
The most important point to make about the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) or Snoring Syndrome is that effective treatment requires several related problems to be treated simultaneously
6 Factors That Can Cause Snoring
Lifestyle factors
In some studies is growing concern is in many cases of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring may be related to Western culture. The risk of increased obstructive sleep apnea grows with the many factors described below many of which are problems currently rampant in our society. Correction of OSA generally requires that these factors be eliminated. At times elimination of these factors completely resolves the problem.
Weight
Excessive weight brought about by a sedentary lifestyle too many rich foods or by medically related situations such as thyroid problems is probably the leading factor contributing to OSA. Bed partners almost invariably make the observation that the larger their snoring spouse becomes the louder the snoring sounds and the more often they hear snoring pauses followed by snorts and a continuation of breathing (i.e. apneas -- episodes of obstructed breathing). Conversely in a large percentage of patients weight loss down to an ideal weight has reversed the process. ...
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