Snoring and Apnea Stigma

Struggling with how to get rid of snoring? Snoring is actually used to describe the sound unintentionally produced as one sleeps. It somehow creates a stigma as people may laugh once they find out that one snores, while some find it irritating especially when the snorer is in the same room, or worse, if he or she is right next to you in the same bed.

Snoring should not be a laughing matter because there are some serious conditions that hide behind these sounds. It should be recognized just like how other medical conditions are treated. Technically, it is a sleep generated sound produced in the upper airway by the vibration of a loose tissue.

Snoring is considered as one of the symptoms falling under the classification of a group of disorders called sleep-disordered breathing. Those who are working in sync are the soft palate, uvula, tongue, tonsils, and/or muscles in the back of the throat which rub against each other generating a vibrating sound during sleep. Studies show that it is more common among the males and among the adult population. In fact, 20% of adults are chronic snorers, while 45% of the adult population occasionally snores. The chance of snoring increases as age increases. Fifty percent of all individuals over 60 years old snore regularly.

A lot of factors can cause snoring. Those that top the list are those which are structural in nature. Enlarged tissues in the nose, mouth, or throat are some of most common cause. Among children, usually, large tonsils are the culprit. There are also some with large uvula, the piece of tissue that hangs from the back of the throat, which can cause vibrations in the airway.

Blocked nasal passages due to an allergy, nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, colds or other upper respiratory tract infections can also be some of the causes. Cysts and tumors in the throat may also cause significant obstructions. All these narrow the airways, making inhaling more difficult. The throat will struggle to compensate by pulling its parts together to be able to breathe normally.

Among the elderly, decreased muscle tone in the throat is a common occurrence. This increases the chance for tissue collapse. Other environmental factors may also be looked into as some factors in the diet and lifestyle can contribute to snoring. Alcohol depresses a part of the brain that regulates breathing. Because of its generalized relaxing effect on the body, it increasingly relaxes the tongue and throat muscles causing a partial blockage in air movement. All these can make someone produce unwanted noises as he or she sleeps. Same effect is produced by medicines which have a relaxing or drowsy effect (those indicated for allergies, depression, anxiety.)

For obese and overweight people, blame it all to fats as the airways can be narrowed with a fat throat and extra throat / neck tissue.

Although it seems to be a petty issue, these symptoms should not be ignored since snoring can be a symptom of a more serious condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA.) Although in some cases it can just be an indication of a structural or minor obstruction problem. Technically, apnea is a condition where breathing temporarily stops (about 10 seconds.) It happens when part of the airway is obstructed. Breathing suddenly stops as a person tries to inhale, but it will resume after several seconds. This, should however be treated because even if we're only talking about seconds, seconds are critical when we talk about oxygen deprivation.

Snoring can actually be both a manifestation and a contributing factor for OSA. Most people with OSA snore because there is narrowing of the airway that causes significant obstruction. On the other hand, it can also aggravate OSA because the vibration of the throat tissues that happens during snoring can cause the tissue to swell, causing further obstruction.

Accurately identifying the actual cause of snoring requires thorough evaluation of a medical professional, but here are some quick hints on what may be causing your snoring.

Have someone first observe you while you snore. Ask them if to note if you make noises with your mouth opened or closed. Also ask them to note the sleeping position when snoring is most apparent. Experts say that if you snore with your mouth closed, the tongue may be the culprit. If the sound is produced with your mouth opened, it may be caused by the tissues in your throat. If you just snore only when you're on your back, the problem may be somehow related to your sleep habits and lifestyle. Lastly, if you continue to snore in any sleep position, then the condition may be severe. Thus, further evaluation and treatment is required.

Gerrard Mackenzie has taught thousands of the stressed-out, tired and overworked how to overcome their sleeping difficulties at www.superchargeyoursleep.com/. Article reprinted from www.goarticles.com.

Article Source: http://www.sleepdisorderarticles.com

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