Wise up to Snoring
Added Wednesday, November 7th, 2007 at 8:53 am | View Comments
For years, people with a snoring problems were the butt of numerous jokes and gags. Most people at some point in their lives will have come across cartoons, pictures and TV shows portraying an overweight man on a mattress, snoring so loudly that he wakes the neighbours.
In truth, there’s nothing remotely funny about snoring. The condition is defined as “breathing during sleep, characterised by harsh sounds caused by the vibrating of the soft palate”, and affects nearly 7 million Britons.
Snoring can point to other sleep conditions, such as sleep apnoea and hypertension. In many cases, it can also lead to daytime fatigue, due to the fact that snorers often suffer from sleep disturbances during the night. Snoring can be successfully controlled, usually after altering certain lifestyle factors, but unlike other ailments, it cannot be ‘cured’ in the strictest sense.
What is snoring?
Snoring is a clear sign that your breathing passage is partially blocked, which leads to abnormal breathing when you inhale and exhale during sleep. The intensity of the snoring can depend on the amount of air passing through the breathing passage and how fast your throat is vibrating. Snoring occurs when the soft palate and uvula (the roof of the mouth), and occasionally the base of the tongue, start to vibrate.
How will snoring affect me?
Snoring can have many adverse effects on people during their waking hours, including finding it hard to concentrate, daytime fatigue and drowsiness and reduced work performance. It’s not just the person snoring that can suffer at the hands of this condition – your bed partner may also experience sleep disturbances during the night.
Snoring Statistics
According to the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association, nearly half (41.5%) the UK population snore, with the condition more common in people over the age of 60.
Nearly 7 million snorers in the UK means that 1 in 3 men and 1 in 10 women experience sleep disturbance every night due to snoring themselves, or as a result of a partner snoring.
What causes snoring?
One of the main contributing factors to snoring is obesity and/or a large neck. Drinking alcohol before you go to sleep can also make you snore more, as can having a cold when your nasal and throat passages may be partially blocked.
Snoring is often a sign of sleep apnoea, but despite this, most snorers do not suffer from the condition. There may however, be an underlying cause to your snoring, such as a sleeping disorder. If the problems persist, you should consult your GP.
How can I ‘control’ my snoring?
One of the best ways to tackle snoring is through weight loss. This can help to reduce the fatty deposits in your throat and improve breathing and the circulation of air – meaning it is more likely that you will snore less. Try sleeping on your side with a pillow if you regularly fall asleep on your back.
You could also try a nasal strip (readily available from pharmacies). These strips gently open your nostrils during sleep, allowing for improved air flow.
Two other lifestyle changes to consider are avoiding too much alcohol (especially before bed) and quitting smoking. Abstaining from drink at least four hours before you go to sleep means your airway muscles are more relaxed, whilst quitting smoking altogether can help improve nasal congestion.
Finally, it is important to consult your GP if you are worried about your snoring.
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1 COMMENT
Sleep Problems in Children :: Bedstar Knowledge Base
December 10th, 2007 at 11:56 am
[…] Does your child often snore loudly? Do they ever choke or stop breathing for a moment whilst […]
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