Snoring And Sleep Apnea Disorders

Snoring is very common and sometimes constitutes a significant problem for a spouse or a family member sleeping under the same roof. Sleep apnea, on the other hand is more serious, as it causes a drop in the blood oxygen level, and it can lead to a stroke and possibly heart attacks. Snoring and sleep apnea can also lead to high blood pressure, sleep difficulties and daytime sleepiness.

 

Win the Snore War

While snoring is a common problem that affects about 90 million Americans, many people aren’t aware that they snore. Snoring occurs during sleep when air flows past relaxed tissues in the throat, causing the tissues to vibrate and create loud, hoarse sounds.

“More than just an annoyance, snoring can lead to headaches, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and reduced work performance,” say Drs Shikani and Sohn from the Maryland ENT Center. “In addition, habitual snoring can be a sign of a serious disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), in which a sleeping person may stop breathing multiple times. Left untreated, OSA raises a person’s risk for high blood pressure, heart failure and stroke.”

Although OSA is a medical issue that needs to be treated by a doctor, you can take steps to improve snoring in general. Dr. Shikani suggests the following simple lifestyle changes to help curb snoring:

Try a new sleep position: Drs Shikani and Sohn explain that lying on your back allows your tongue to fall backward into the throat and partially obstructs airflow. Thus, experts recommend sleeping on your side to reduce snoring. Some even recommend sewing a tennis or golf ball into the back of nightclothes as a reminder to sleep on your side. Eventually, side-sleeping will become a habit and the reminder will no longer be necessary.

Lose excess weight: Extra bulkiness in individuals who are overweight can narrow the throat and make loose throat tissues more likely to vibrate. Losing excess weight can help alleviate this problem.

Don’t smoke: Abstaining from smoking can improve nasal congestion and reduce snoring.

Avoid or limit alcohol and other sedatives. “Sedatives, sleeping pills and alcohol depress the central nervous system, causing muscles and tissues in the throat to relax excessively,” Drs Shikani and Sohn say. To avoid this problem, it’s best to avoid drinking alcohol at least four hours before going to bed.

Treat nasal congestion or nasal obstruction: People who have nasal congestion caused by allergies or a deviated septum (a crooked partition between the nostrils) are more likely to snore because their airflow through the nose is limited. This can make people more likely to breathe through their mouth, which increases the chance of snoring. Nasal congestion often can be relieved with a prescription or an over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medication. Treatment for a deviated septum varies based on its severity; in some cases, surgery may be necessary.

Put the Problem to Rest: If lifestyle changes are not effective in reducing snoring, talk with your doctor. This is particularly important if you have persistent snoring or experience symptoms of OSA: excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches or pauses in breathing when sleeping. Your body will thank you — and so will your sleep partner.

Simple ENT procedures, such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), Laser-assisted palatoplasty (LAUP), or coblation-assisted palatoplasty, effectively alleviate snoring and apnea for many patients by removing excess tissue from the uvula and tightening the soft palate. Some of these minimally invasive procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and patients can return to their normal activities almost immediately.