What is snoring?
Snoring occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing the tissues to vibrate as you breathe. Nearly everyone snores now and then; however, snoring may indicate obstructive sleep apnea, a serious health condition.
What are the risk factors of snoring?
- Excess weight
- Pregnancy
- Structural abnormalities
- Alcohol, Smoking and other sedatives, such as narcotics
- A family history of snoring or obstructive sleep apnea
- Nasal problems
What are the treatments for snoring?
- Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight
- Avoiding smoking and alcohol, particularly close to bedtime
- Nasal strips
- Nasal sprays to relieve nasal congestion
- Oral appliance
When to see a doctor?
Snoring could be associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Not all snorers have obstructive sleep apnea; however, if snoring is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, you may need to see a sleep doctor for evaluation for possible obstructive sleep apnea:
- Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Gasping or choking at night
- Witnessed breathing pauses during sleep
- Morning headaches
- Restless sleep
- Unrefreshed sleep
- Insomnia with or without frequent awakenings.
- Frequent urination at night.
- Difficulty concentrating or memory impairment
- New onset high blood pressure or high blood pressure on two or three medications
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Loud snoring
- In children, poor attention span, behavioral problems, bedwetting, profound sweating or poor school performance
