You can stop snoring
Feb 15, 2005
THERE is nothing more irritating than someone snoring while you are trying to catch some sleep. It separates couples.
By Elvina Nawaguna
THERE is nothing more irritating than someone snoring while you are trying to catch some sleep. It separates couples.
According to medical literature, about one-third of older adults snore. Snoring occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in the throat and causes the tissues (the uvula or soft palate) to vibrate as you breathe, creating hoarse or harsh sounds.
Dr Vincent Kawooya of Abii Clinic says snoring is not a disease. It may, however be a symptom of a bigger problem.
Many people snore because they are overweight. The throat tissues of over-weight people tend to be flabby. So, as you breath, these tissues are likely to vibrate, causing the snoring sound.
Consuming too much alcohol or sedatives before bedtime can also bring about snoring. Alcohol acts like a sedative and depresses the nervous system, causing the throat muscles and tissues to excessively relax.
Sometimes, the sleeping position we assume causes us to snore. When you lie on your back to sleep, the tongue falls back into the throat. When this happens the airway is narrowed and the easy flow of air is obstructed leading to snoring.
Some people even use several pillows under their heads and in the process bend their trachea, causing the snoring sounds.
Age can also be a cause. As people get older, the throat muscles weaken, causing the surrounding tissues to sag and vibrate, producing the disturbing snoring sound during sleep.
Snoring may also be an indication of a more serious problem According to Kawooya, if snoring is so severe, it may be a symptom of obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Sleep Apnea is a condition in which the airflow between the nose and mouth is obstructed for at least ten seconds during sleep. When this happens, the patient is forced to wake up, gasping for breath. This is because the oxygen supply to the brain is reduced, thus stimulating the brain, jerking the person into wakefulness. (This explains why some people snore so hard and wake up suddenly several times in the night).
Sleep Apnea may cause significant drops in oxygen levels in the blood. When this condition is present for a long period of time, it can cause severe fatigue because of lack of proper sleep.
It can also over strain the heart and lungs and affect the general health of the patient, which is likely to shorten his or her life in the long run.
Every one has adenoids and tonsils. These are small glands located at the back of the mouth (tonsils) and in the top of the throat behind the nose (adenoids).
During infections in the throat, the tonsils and adenoids swell.
Kawoya says when these are enlarged, they compromise the airway, causing one to breath in and out against pressure and hence snoring.
Nasal congestion and obstruction may cause you to snore as they force you to breath through your mouth. The congestion may be due to common cold, hay fever or sinus infection. Also people who are allergic to dust, smoke, perfumes or pollen may snore.
According to Kawooya, in babies, snoring is usually because their trachea is still small and not yet fully developed so it can collapse on its own and go back. As they grow up, the snoring stops.
How can snoring be managed?
Kawooya says usually, the moment one wakes up or changes sleeping position, then snoring stops. Tap your sleeping partner or do something to change their sleeping position to stop them from snoring.
If the snoring is brought about by excess weight, the patient is advised to lose weight. Maintaining a healthy diet and having regular exercise will help to reduce or stop the snoring. Avoiding alcohol or sedatives especially in the evenings or before going to bed will help prevent snoring.
It is also advisable to sleep on the side rather than on the back. Kawooya also advocates for the use of one pillow so that the body is in alignment to avoid snoring.
However, if snoring goes on over a long period of time or is accompanied by choking, then it is necessary to see an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor.
The ENT doctor will take down your medical history and carry out a careful examination of the airway. After establishing the cause of the snoring, then the doctor will decide which the best treatment is.
Kawooya says sometimes, tonsils or adenoids may have to be reduced or removed in a surgical process if they are too large. This is especially if they are causing Sleep Apnea. These procedures are called Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.
The most likely people to snore are obese people, alcoholics and those with high blood pressure.
THERE is nothing more irritating than someone snoring while you are trying to catch some sleep. It separates couples.
According to medical literature, about one-third of older adults snore. Snoring occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in the throat and causes the tissues (the uvula or soft palate) to vibrate as you breathe, creating hoarse or harsh sounds.
Dr Vincent Kawooya of Abii Clinic says snoring is not a disease. It may, however be a symptom of a bigger problem.
Many people snore because they are overweight. The throat tissues of over-weight people tend to be flabby. So, as you breath, these tissues are likely to vibrate, causing the snoring sound.
Consuming too much alcohol or sedatives before bedtime can also bring about snoring. Alcohol acts like a sedative and depresses the nervous system, causing the throat muscles and tissues to excessively relax.
Sometimes, the sleeping position we assume causes us to snore. When you lie on your back to sleep, the tongue falls back into the throat. When this happens the airway is narrowed and the easy flow of air is obstructed leading to snoring.
Some people even use several pillows under their heads and in the process bend their trachea, causing the snoring sounds.
Age can also be a cause. As people get older, the throat muscles weaken, causing the surrounding tissues to sag and vibrate, producing the disturbing snoring sound during sleep.
Snoring may also be an indication of a more serious problem According to Kawooya, if snoring is so severe, it may be a symptom of obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Sleep Apnea is a condition in which the airflow between the nose and mouth is obstructed for at least ten seconds during sleep. When this happens, the patient is forced to wake up, gasping for breath. This is because the oxygen supply to the brain is reduced, thus stimulating the brain, jerking the person into wakefulness. (This explains why some people snore so hard and wake up suddenly several times in the night).
Sleep Apnea may cause significant drops in oxygen levels in the blood. When this condition is present for a long period of time, it can cause severe fatigue because of lack of proper sleep.
It can also over strain the heart and lungs and affect the general health of the patient, which is likely to shorten his or her life in the long run.
Every one has adenoids and tonsils. These are small glands located at the back of the mouth (tonsils) and in the top of the throat behind the nose (adenoids).
During infections in the throat, the tonsils and adenoids swell.
Kawoya says when these are enlarged, they compromise the airway, causing one to breath in and out against pressure and hence snoring.
Nasal congestion and obstruction may cause you to snore as they force you to breath through your mouth. The congestion may be due to common cold, hay fever or sinus infection. Also people who are allergic to dust, smoke, perfumes or pollen may snore.
According to Kawooya, in babies, snoring is usually because their trachea is still small and not yet fully developed so it can collapse on its own and go back. As they grow up, the snoring stops.
How can snoring be managed?
Kawooya says usually, the moment one wakes up or changes sleeping position, then snoring stops. Tap your sleeping partner or do something to change their sleeping position to stop them from snoring.
If the snoring is brought about by excess weight, the patient is advised to lose weight. Maintaining a healthy diet and having regular exercise will help to reduce or stop the snoring. Avoiding alcohol or sedatives especially in the evenings or before going to bed will help prevent snoring.
It is also advisable to sleep on the side rather than on the back. Kawooya also advocates for the use of one pillow so that the body is in alignment to avoid snoring.
However, if snoring goes on over a long period of time or is accompanied by choking, then it is necessary to see an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor.
The ENT doctor will take down your medical history and carry out a careful examination of the airway. After establishing the cause of the snoring, then the doctor will decide which the best treatment is.
Kawooya says sometimes, tonsils or adenoids may have to be reduced or removed in a surgical process if they are too large. This is especially if they are causing Sleep Apnea. These procedures are called Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.
The most likely people to snore are obese people, alcoholics and those with high blood pressure.