The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Snoring

September 17, 2008 at 4:45 pm · Filed under Snoring Treatments

Tip! To keep peace and harmony in your household have sympathy for those who are affected by your snoring. Work seriously to solve the problem and in the mean time see if your partner will try earplugs if your snoring keeps him or her awake.

Snoring can be an indicating factor a condition called sleep apnea exists. Sleep apnea causes disturbances in breathing that includes long periods of silence interspersed with explosive and loud snoring.

A person with sleep apnea may stop breathing for ten seconds or longer during the pauses. This may happen anywhere from a dozen to hundreds of times during a night and can stop the snorer from entering natural sleep. They will wake up in the morning feeling exhausted, tired, and not at all refreshed. Sleep apnea can be fatal if during an episode the heart stops beating.

Tip! If you’re a smoker, kick the habit. Cigarette smoking can disturb your sleep and can increase the likelihood of snoring.

Sleep deprivation causes exhaustion from so much snoring. Sleep apnea can also cause accidents that are unrelated but come about from the extreme exhaustion that the snorer is experiencing. This can include accidents such as working with machinery that is dangerous to driving accidents. As well, a person suffering from exhaustion can lose concentration at any time during the day.

It might be time for you, and/or your partner, to talk to a sleep specialist if your snoring is disturbing and keeping someone else awake. As well, if you’ve tried remedies that don’t work (such as stopping drinking and smoking, losing weight, or sleeping on your side) you’ll want to talk to someone. A sleep specialist can evaluate your snoring problem and present you with some options and solutions to ending snoring.

Tip! If a cold or allergy causes your snoring speak to your doctor about taking allergy or cold medication. However, make sure the medication is free of antihistaminic side effects, which can worsen snoring.

Tests are available that can help you determine why you have a snoring problem. When you know what is causing the snoring a sleep specialist can help you find a solution to end the snoring completely or make it less of a problem.

One solution for snoring is nasal splints. Another remedy is “Breathe Easy” which is very effective for some people. Tapes are positioned along the sides of the nose so that the nostrils are kept open in a wide position. Snoring is decreased since there will be more air breathed in. More air will lessen the vibrations in the throat which will in turn lower the volume of noise. Both the snorer and other people in the home will be able to sleep better at night.

Tip! Avoid harmful drugs, alcohol or sleeping pills. Drug-induced sleep is more likely to loosen up your throat muscles, causing them to fall back into the throat and result in snoring.

Another remedy for snoring is a nasal spray decongestant. Someone who is developing a cough or cold may snore more than at other times. You can buy a nasal spray over the counter but you might want to ask a pharmacist for advice.

Rhinitis is a problem that can further worsen the extent of snoring. A spray decongestant can bring about some relief from Rhinitis.

If you use a spray decongestant it’s important to note that overuse of the spray can make your snoring problem worse than it already is as the spray thickens the lining in the nose when used too often. You should only use a decongestant spray for a short period of time and stop using it when your cough or cold is gone.

Rudy Watkins writes about sleep apnea sickness and other related topics on the Apnea Guide website. Sign up for our free sleep apnea newsletter at http://www.apneaguide.com

Tip! If all else fails there are several types of surgeries that can be extremely effective remedies for snoring. You would need to speak with an ear, nose and throat specialist for the best treatment for your specific mouth structure.

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