Snoring is the hoarse and vibrating sound of breathing during sleep. It occurs due to blockage of airflow in the throat by relaxed throat tissues. Every now and then, we snore, but for some people, it could be a chronic problem. Snoring will disturb the sleep of our family members, and sometimes, it is an indication of the chronic underlying disease.
Lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, sleeping on one side, and refraining from alcohol near bedtime could help in stopping snoring. However, disruptive snoring can be minimized through medical devices or surgery.
Symptoms of Snoring
Most of the time snoring is associated with a sleep disorder such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea; however, all snorers do not have obstructive sleep apnea. If snoring is associated with the below-mentioned symptoms, then it is necessary to visit a doctor for Obstructive Sleep Apnea evaluation
- Experiencing breathing pauses during sleep
- Daytime sleepiness
- Headaches in the morning
- Unable to concentrate
- Feeling soreness in the throat upon awakening
- Restless sleep
- Choking or gasping at night
- Experiencing chest pain at night
- High blood pressure
- Partner sleep is getting disturbed due to loud snoring
Causes of Snoring
The muscles of our tongue, soft palate, and throat will relax when we go from light sleep to deep sleep. The tissues present in the throat will completely relax, start blocking the airflow, and vibrate. If the airway is narrow, then the airflow becomes more forceful, which would increase the tissue vibration and the snoring become louder.
The common causes of snoring are as follows:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): OSA is a sleep-related breathing disorder and the patient diagnosed with this disorder snores very loudly.
- Alcohol and sedative medications: Consumption of alcohol and sedative medications will relax the throat muscles and causes snoring.
- Smoking: Smoking can cause inflammation of the upper airway and edema, which would lead to snoring.
- Anatomy of the head and neck: The size and shape of internal structures of the head and neck could obstruct the airway flow and can cause snoring.
- Chronic nasal congestion: The stuffy nose can obstruct the airway flow and causes snoring.
- Sleeping position: The common cause of snoring is sleeping in the supine position
- Overweight: Heavy deposition of fat around the neck decreases the airway size and cause snoring
- Aging: Due to aging, the tongue and muscles around the throat become weaker, which can cause snoring.
- Hypothyroidism: Decrease in the production of thyroid hormone can lead to slow heart rate, hoarse voice, snoring, etc.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Snoring
When you visit a doctor for snoring evaluation, the doctor will review your signs and symptoms, medical history, and perform a physical examination. In addition, the doctor might ask questions to your partner to assess the severity of the condition. The doctor would recommend imaging tests such as X-ray, CAT scan, or MRI to know the structure of your airway and the associated problem such as deviated septum. Based on the severity of your snoring and associated symptoms, the doctor may also conduct a sleep study.
Care at Klavo Clinics and Diagnostics
Our team of experts will help you with your snoring-related health problem. The doctors at Klavo Clinics and Diagnostics are highly qualified and available at your convenient timings. The clinic is equipped with advanced and latest diagnostics and treatment facilities. To schedule your appointment at our clinic, please feel free to call us.