Everyone snores, right? So, what’s the big deal? Well, not everyone, and it can be a big deal. Snoring can be a sign of health problems. We love to joke around about it, due to all of the loud noise, and annoyed sleeping partners. It is pretty common. But if you are a regular, nightly snorer, it is unhealthy, and needs to be treated as such.
What Causes Snoring?
When the flow of air through both your nose and mouth are blocked, you are prone to snore. Nasal blockage can happen due to a common cold or sinus infection, which can both be treated. A deviated septum, however, will need to be surgically repaired to get the airflow moving again through your nasal passages. If you are struggling with being overweight, the extra weight can cause extra throat tissue, which aids in blocking your airflow, and leads to snoring. The muscle tone in your throat and tongue may be poor, causing them to collapse in your airway. Consuming too much alcohol has the same effect, causing the tongue to relax. A lack of sleep, or the position you sleep in can even bring on snoring. If you are a snorer, you should avoid lying on your back.
How To Treat Snoring
You have found out you snore… now what? A sleep study is usually necessary to determine the severity of your snoring, and also to see if you have sleep apnea, which can be dangerous, leading to more health problems. There are options to stop your snoring. A mouth guard is a pretty easy fix and helps by moving the jaw and tongue out of the way of your airways. There are also back braces, used to keep you sleeping on your side, rather than rolling onto your back, where you are more likely to snore. As with many health issues, losing weight and limiting alcohol may be a good start in seeing if you can stop snoring. If sleep apnea is discovered, a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine will most likely be prescribed. Call our office and set up an appointment to discuss your snoring. We will have you sleeping soundly in no time.
