Sleeping Disorders

Snoring

Snoring is not a sleeping disorder, but it can be a symptom of deeper sleep related problems, and may cause sleep issues for the sufferer's bed partner.
Snoring has also been implicated in a range of other health complications, such as heart disease and stroke.
Snoring is the act of breathing through the open mouth in such a way as to cause a vibration of the uvula and soft palate, thus giving rise to a sound which may vary anywhere from a soft noise to a very loud and unpleasant sound.  Loud snoring can reach 93 decibels.
Snoring most commonly occurs during sleep, but it can also occur for a short time immediately after death.
It is believed that somewhere between 30-50% of the adult population routinely snore.
Snoring is usually an involuntary act, but it may also be produced voluntarily.

Symptoms

During Snoring, a person's mouth and throat will emit a sound which may vary anywhere from a soft noise to a very loud and unpleasant sound.  Loud snoring can reach 93 decibels.

Causes

The cause of snoring is some form of blockage in the breathing passage, and this can be caused by:
- Tongue falling into the throat.
- Allergies.
- Throat weakness causing the throat to close during sleep.
- Misaligned jaw, often caused by tension in muscles.
- Overweight / Obesity allows fat to gather in and around the throat.
When the airflow in the breathing passage becomes irregular due to a blockage the soft palate may start flapping. This flapping of the soft palate is what makes the snoring sound.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Snoring is very simple – does a person make a snoring sound when they are asleep ?  And, if they do snore, how often and how loudly do they snore ?
The answers to these questions determine the seriousness of the snoring, and what treatments are required or appropriate.

Complications / Issues

Most of the time snoring is not a health risk to the snorer, but snoring resulting from a significant obstruction of the breathing passage can be an indication of the potentially life-threatening Sleep Apnea (see section 4.12).
However, even if snoring is not detrimental to the snorer, it can cause the snorer's bedmate and house mates to lose sleep.
Being sleepy all day long can lead in some cases to life-threatening problems for the person and those around them.
Also, studies have shown that there is a psychological component in snoring which causes discomfort for any listener, depending on the loudness, tone, frequency, and other attributes of the snore.
Various studies have also shown that there is a direct inverse relationship between snoring and frequency of sexual activity between married partners, meaning that there is generally less sexual activity if one of the partners is a heavy snorer.

Treatment

The cures and treatments for Snoring almost all revolve around clearing the blockage in the breathing passage.
This is the reason snorers are advised to make life-style changes which include:
- Lose Weight: to stop fat from pressing on the throat.
- Stop Smoking: because smoking weakens and clogs the throat.
- Sleep on their Side: to prevent the tongue from blocking the throat.
- Exercises: specialized throat, tongue, and jaw exercises can strengthen the muscles of the breathing passage so that it can widen and stay open when you sleep.
But for many snorers these life-style changes are not enough, and one or more of the following treatments may be required:
- Surgery: is one obvious option to cure snoring, for example a uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.
- Physical Intervention Treatments: various dental appliances, such as a Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS), and nose clips may be used to keep the nose open and keep the jaw in the right position can help reduce snoring.  Different aids work for different people.

Prevention

The best way to prevent or reduce snoring is to seek medical advice and explore various treatment, starting with life style changes, as soon as possible after you notice the symptoms.  See section 4.16.5 Treatment above.