Snoring is a common condition that affects more frequently men and overweight people, although it can affect almost anyone. Snoring will worsen with age. It is often regarded as a nuisance rather than a serious health problem and most snorers do not look for treatment.
There are two main types of snoring: occasional and habitual.
Occasional snoring less serious and is rarely associated with sleep apnea. Habitual snoring will not only disrupt the sleep pattern of your bed partner, but it will distort your own sleep quality.
The Causes Of Snoring
Snoring is caused by the physical obstruction of the air flow through the mouth and nose. This ostruction can be caused by several factors and by their combinations, including:
- Obstruction of the nasal airways. Occasional snoring is often caused by seasonal allergy or a sinus infection. Nose deformities like septum deviation or nasal polyps can also obstruct the nasal airways.
- Poor muscle tone of the throat and tongue. Relaxed throat and tongue muscles allows them to fall back and obstruct the airway. This can also be caused by alcohol consumption, and it will increase with age.
- Bulky or heavy throat tissue. Overweight people have a bulky, heavy throat tissue, whereas children with large tonsils or adenoids are also snorers.
- Long soft palate and uvula: A long soft palate or a long uvula (the dangling tissue in back of the mouth) can narrow the opening from the nose to the throat. When these structures vibrate and bump against one another the airway becomes obstructed, causing snoring.
Health Risks of Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Habitual snoring can be a serious risk for health problems, including obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea creates several problems, including:
- risk of cardiovascular disease (high blood pressure, heart attack)
- risk of stroke
- risk of diabetes
- risk of cancer cancer
- sexual dysfunction in both men and women
- sleepiness, poor concentration (risk of car accidents)
- severe and regular headache
It is essential to take snoring seriously as a health risk! Visit your physician and if necessary,undergo a detailed examination and monitoring of your sleep pattern! If you don’t suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, a stop snoring mouth guard can resolve your problems. Europe’s leading anti-snoring mouth guard is the Therasnore.
This is an adjustable mouthpiece that holds the lower jaw forward while you sleep to keep the airway open and to prevent the throat from falling back. The Therasnore stop snoring mouthguard is designed for comfort: it features soft edges. This anti-snoring mouthpiece will last twice as long as any other option on the market.
How to diminish the risk of snoring by lifestyle changes:
- Watch your weight.
- Cut out the alcohol.
- Don’t smoke.
