Snoring

Snoring tends to be more prevalent in men than women and can worsen with age. Certain lifestyle adjustments can help reduce snoring, such as maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol before bedtime, sleeping on your side instead of your back, and keeping nasal passages clear. These changes may alleviate mild cases of snoring. However, medical intervention may be necessary for individuals whose snoring is linked to a sleep disorder like Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA is characterised by repeated episodes of complete or partial blockage of the upper airway during sleep, leading to disrupted breathing patterns and severe snoring.

Treatments for OSA may include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, surgery to correct anatomical issues in the throat, or other medical interventions tailored to the specific condition. If snoring is a frequent concern and disrupts sleep patterns or affects daily life, it’s advisable to consult a doctor or a sleep specialist. They can assess the severity of the snoring, identify any underlying causes, and recommend appropriate treatments or lifestyle modifications to improve sleep quality and overall health.

What are the causes of Snoring?

Snoring can stem from various causes related to the narrowing or obstructing of airways during sleep. When the tissues in the airways relax too much, they can restrict airflow, leading to vibrations that produce the snoring sound. This restriction can occur in the nose, mouth, or throat, and the volume of snoring can vary based on how constricted the airflow becomes.

Conditions like colds and allergies exacerbate snoring by causing nasal congestion and swelling in the throat, further narrowing the air passages. Anatomical factors, such as enlarged tonsils or excess tissue in the mouth, can also contribute to snoring by obstructing airflow. Being overweight is another common cause of snoring. Excess fat around the neck can compress the airways when lying down, increasing the likelihood of snoring.

Snoring is frequently associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a severe sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. OSA occurs when airflow is significantly reduced, often to less than 90% of normal, leading to disruptions in sleep patterns and reduced oxygen intake. Sleep apnea requires prompt medical attention and treatment to prevent potential health complications.

Snoring is also commonly linked to obstructive sleep apnea in children, often due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Due to poor sleep quality, children with sleep apnea may exhibit daytime symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, sleepiness, or behavioural issues. If a child frequently snores or shows signs of sleep disruption, it is important to consult their doctor for evaluation and appropriate management.

How is snoring diagnosed?

A physical exam can help your doctor determine if your snoring is related to abnormalities in your mouth. In some cases, this physical exam is all that’s needed for a correct diagnosis and proper treatment, especially if your snoring is mild. However, severe cases may require additional diagnostic tests. Your doctor may use X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs to check your airway for abnormalities. It’s important to note that a deviated septum does not typically require advanced imaging studies such as CT scans, MRI scans, or X-rays for diagnosis.

How can snoring be prevented?

Mild cases of snoring can often be improved by adopting certain lifestyle changes. Here are some effective strategies:

• Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Excess weight, especially around the neck, can contribute to snoring by putting pressure on the airways. Losing weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can reduce snoring.
• Establishing a Regular Sleep Schedule: Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day helps regulate your body’s internal clock, promoting better sleep quality and potentially reducing snoring.
• Sleeping on Your Side: Sleeping on your side instead of your back can prevent the tongue and soft tissues in the throat from collapsing into the airway, which can contribute to snoring.
• Using Nasal Strips: Nasal strips applied to the bridge of the nose can help widen the nasal passages, improving airflow and reducing snoring, especially if nasal congestion is a contributing factor.
• Addressing Nasal Congestion: Treating chronic nasal congestion, whether due to allergies, sinusitis, or other causes, can help reduce snoring. This may involve using saline nasal sprays, decongestants, or other treatments your doctor recommends.
• Avoiding Alcohol and Heavy Meals Before Bed: Alcohol and large meals can relax the muscles in the throat and contribute to snoring. Avoiding these before bedtime can help minimise snoring.
• Elevating Your Head: Elevating your head by using an extra pillow or raising the head of your bed by about 4 inches can help keep your airways open and reduce snoring.

What are the complications of snoring?

Frequent snoring, especially when indicative of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), can increase the likelihood of experiencing several health and lifestyle challenges:

• Sleepiness during the day: Due to disrupted sleep patterns caused by snoring or OSA, individuals may experience excessive daytime sleepiness, impairing daily functioning and productivity.
• Difficulty concentrating: Poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness can lead to difficulties with concentration, memory, and cognitive function.
• Vehicle accidents due to drowsiness: Sleepiness and impaired alertness increase the risk of accidents, particularly while driving or operating heavy machinery.
• Hypertension (high blood pressure): OSA and untreated snoring are associated with increased blood pressure during sleep, which, over time, can contribute to hypertension.
• Heart disease: Individuals with OSA or severe snoring may have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, and heart failure.
• Stroke: There is evidence linking untreated OSA and severe snoring with an increased risk of stroke, likely due to the effects of disrupted sleep and altered oxygen levels.
• Relationship conflict: Loud and disruptive snoring can strain interpersonal relationships, particularly when it disturbs a partner’s sleep, leading to tension and conflicts.

How Is snoring treated?

The treatment for snoring depends on the underlying cause. Common professional treatments include:

• Dental mouthpieces: These devices, also known as mandibular advancement devices, help position the tongue and soft palate to keep the airway open.
• Palatal implants: Braided polyester strands are injected into the palate to stiffen it and reduce snoring.
• Surgery: Surgical options aim to tighten and trim excess tissue in the airways. This may include procedures like septoplasty for a severely deviated septum or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) to remove excess tissue from the throat.
• Laser surgery: This procedure shortens the soft palate and removes the uvula to reduce snoring.
• CPAP machines: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines direct pressurised air into the airway to eliminate sleep apnea and snoring.

Corrective surgical procedures are often permanent solutions, while masks and mouthpieces need to be used continuously. Regular follow-up appointments with your doctor will likely be recommended to monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan.