Understand Snoring Symptoms, Types, Causes, and Treatments
Snoring is a condition often associated with sleep disorders, particularly obstructive sleep apnea, which affects breathing during sleep. It falls within the speciality of sleep medicine, which focuses on diagnosing and treating various sleep-related disorders.
Snoring is common in adults:
- 40% men, 30% women snore occasionally
- 15% snore more frequently
- Spectrum: sleep apnea
- It is caused by relaxed mouth/throat muscles
- Lifestyle changes can help reduce snoring
- Medical attention may be needed for sleep condition
Types of Snoring
Mouth Snoring:
Nasal Snoring:
- Impaired nasal breathing
- A loud whistle or grunt sound
- Results in dry mouth, bad breath, headaches
Tongue Snoring:
- Snore on back
- Enlarged tongue
- Inconsistent high-pitched sounds
Throat Snoring:
- Snore in any position
- Daytime signs : headaches, sleepiness, lack of concentration
- Nighttime signs : loud snore, breathing difficulties, dry mouth
Causes of Snoring
It happens as the air passes into the mouth and the nose is blocked. Many factors can daily interfere with airflow, including:
Nasal airway blockage:
- Allergy season or sinus infection
- Deviated septum, nasal polyps
- Weak throat and tongue muscles:
- Collapse into airways
Bulky throat tissue:
- Overweight, enlarged tonsils/adenoids
Long soft palate, uvula:
- Structures collide, vibrate during breathing
Alcohol, drugs:
- Relax throat, and tongue muscles
- Sleeping position
- Snore when sleeping on back
- Lack of sleep:
- Throat muscles relax too much
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Get A Second OpinionDiagnosis
A physical exam can help your doctor determine if your snoring is related to mouth abnormalities. This exam is often sufficient for mild cases. Your doctor will also inquire about your medical history and check for airway obstructions like a deviated septum or swollen tonsils. They may also do some tests:
Imaging tests : An x-ray, MRI, or CT scan can detect problems in the airways.
- Sleep study : You may need to have a machine monitor your sleep at home or spend the night in a lab for a
- test called a polysomnogram
- Test monitors factors pulse rate
- Breathing
- Brain function
- Requires you to spend the night in a clinic with sensors on your head and body.
- Heart rate
- Respiratory rate or(Rapid Breathing)
- Blood oxygen levels
- The movements of your legs
- Brain waves
- Stage of sleep
Treatment of Snoring
Treatment is going to depend on the source of the Snoring. The AAO does not recommend OTC snore devices because they do not address the source of the problem. Common professional treatments include:
- Lifestyle changes : Your doctor may tell you to lose weight or stop drinking alcohol before going to bed.
- Mouth braces : Wear a small plastic device in your mouth while you sleep. Keeps the airway open by moving the jaw or tongue.
- Surgery : Many types of treatments may effectively avoid it. Your doctor may remove or shrink the tissues in your throat or make your soft palate stiffer.
- CPAP : A continuous positive airway pressure machine treats sleep apnea and may reduce Snoring by blowing air into the airway while you sleep.
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Book an AppointmentWhat are the complications of Snoring?
Frequent Snore increases your chances of experiencing:
- Drowsiness during the day
- Difficulty concentrating
- Vehicle accidents because of drowsiness
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
- Heart disease
- stroke
- Severe medical conditions are more likely to occur with OSA than with snoring alone.
When to see a Doctor?
Loud snoring and sleep apnea can interrupt sleep and lead to fatigue and trouble concentrating. A physician or dental surgeon may help identify the root causes and recommend ways to avoid or minimize snore. Here are some general signs that it's time to book an appointment.
- Thunderous Snoring can be heard in the next room.
- Continually gasping or choking in bed.
- Ongoing insomnia
- A chronic feeling of tiredness every day
- Considerable mood swings because of daily fatigue
- Waking up at unusual times
- Waking up suddenly with a dry throat often
- Experiencing pain that prevents you from sleeping
Health Risks Associated With Snoring
It can pose severe risks to you or the health of your loved ones, leading to:
- Low Blood Oxygen : Snoring for 30+ secs can drop oxygen levels, posing immediate danger.
- Heart Disease : It raises blood pressure, increasing heart disease risk.
- Strokes : It can narrow neck arteries, upping stroke chances.
- Accidents : Daytime drowsiness from snoring leads to a a lack of focus, raising accident risks.
- Mental Health : It-induced irritability and mood swings may lead to anxiety and depression.
Home Remedies for Snoring
Lose Weight If You Are Overweight You can lose weight by reducing your overall caloric intake, eating smaller portions and healthier foods, and working out on a daily basis.
- Sleep on your side : Sleeping on your side could be all you need to do to allow air to circulate freely and minimize or avoid Snore.
- Raise the head of your bed : Raising the head of the bed four inches can help reduce Snore by keeping the airway open.
- Limit or avoid alcohol before bedtime : Try not to consume alcohol for at least two hours before going to bed. Alcohol can relax your throat muscles and cause Snore.
- Avoid taking sedatives before bedtime : When you snore and take sedatives, speak to the doctor about your options. Stopping using sedatives before bed can ease your Snore.
- Stop smoking : Smoking is an unhealthy habit that can make snore worse. Talk to your doctor about therapies like gum or patches that can help you quit smoking.
- Get enough sleep : Get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep every night.
