Snoring

Ear Nose | Otorhinolaryngology | Snoring (Symptom)


Description

Snoring is the vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting sound, due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping. In some cases the sound may be soft, but in other cases, it can be loud and unpleasant. Occasional snoring is usually not very serious and is mostly a nuisance for the bed partner.

Causes

While we are breathing, air flows in and out in a steady stream from our nose or mouth to our lungs. When we are asleep, the area at the back of the throat sometimes narrows. The same amount of air passing through this smaller opening can cause the tissues surrounding the opening to vibrate, which in turn can cause the sounds of snoring. It may be associated with serious diseases such as hypertension, stroke or myocardial infarction.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Snoring can be prevented by avoiding overweight, as it can lead to anatomical changes that trigger a severe problem needing more aggressive corrections. Avoiding stress, physical fatigue, relaxing some medications or other products that produce loss of muscle tone, like alcohol, can also prevent from the appearance of snoring. The best way to prevent snoring is to try to avoid the risk factors mentioned above. If lifestyle changes don't eliminate snoring, your doctor may suggest oral appliances, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), palatal implants or surgery.

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