SNORING
Smile ….the world smiles at you
Snore the world runs away from you.
Don’t embarrass yourself saying” I don’t snore… I dream like a tractor”.
Snoring is a harsh sound from nose or mouth that occurs when breathing is partially obstructed while sleeping .This night time annoyance may indicate a serious health condition and it disrupts relationships.

CAUSES:
As patients doze off and progress from a lighter sleep to a deep sleep, the muscles in the roof of the mouth ,tongue ,and throat relax.
If the tissues in the throat relax enough,they vibrate and may partially obstruct the airway.The more narrowed airway ,the more forceful the airflow becomes.Tissue vibration increases and snoring grows louder.
Snoring may be an occasional problem or it may be habitual.

RELATION TO AGE : Just as skin loses tension with age and muscles in our bodies becomes weaker and less toned .

RELATION TO GENDER :
Women tend to snore less than men. This gap is narrowed once women reach the menopause.

WHAT CONTRIBUTES TO SNORING?
1.Alcohol consumption or prolonged smoking
2.Nasal problems(Nasal septum deviation)
3.Obstuctive sleep apnea
4.Obesity
5.Enlarged adenoids, Enlarged tonsils
6.Cold and Allergies.
7.Sleep deprivation
8.Pregnancy , Genetic factors
9.Medications like muscle relaxants

SYMPTOMS:
1.Witnessed breathing pauses during sleep.
2.Excessive daytime sleepiness.
3.Difficulty in concentrating, Irritability, Depression, etc .
4.Morning Headaches
5.Sore throat upon awakening
6.Restless sleep
7.Gasping or choking at night
8.High blood pressure
9.Chest pain at night
10.In children …poor performance, poor attention span, behavioural issues etc.

IS SNORING BAD FOR HEALTH?
In a person with sleep apnea ,loud snoring alternates with periods of obstructed breathing that reduces blood levels of oxygen causing the heart to pump faster and carbondioxide level rise. Eventually the sleeper must gasp often to get more air. This condition is associated with high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

DIAGNOSIS:
Polysomnography consists of simultaneous recording of multiple physiological parameters related to sleep and wakefulness. This helps in the diagnosis

TREATMENT:
Depending on the intensity :
1. Lose of weight if obese .
2. Sleep on your side… it may allow air to flow easily and reduce or stop snoring .
3.Elevating the head of your bed by 4 inches may help reduce your snoring.
4.Use Nasal strips or external nasal dilator .
5.Treat chronic allergies
6.Correct deviated septum in nose .
7.Limit or avoid alcohol before bed.
8.Avoid taking sedatives before bed.
9.Stop smoking
10.Get 7 to 8 hours sleep
11. C P A P {continuous positive airway pressure appliance}
SURGERY
12. somnoplasty …removing stiffening tissues in uvulae and soft palate
13. Mandibular advancement devices or Mandibular splints …
These are simple oral devices that advance the mandible .This pulls the genioglossus forward . This pulls the tongue forwards so upper aiway space is regained.

Dont snore and dont let the world runs away from you. Meet the specialist and get it corrected.