Louder than an airplane: causes, consequences, and treatment of snoring.

The Noisy Health Destroyer

Snoring is loud breathing during sleep. It signals that something is obstructing a person’s airflow, rather than being a mere reaction to dreaming. The nature of this phenomenon is studied and researched by many specialists and doctors. While snoring can be quite bothersome to those nearby, the person responsible for the noise may not feel any discomfort at all. However, someone dealing with this issue may actually face increasing problems: this condition can lead to serious health deterioration and even death. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand the main causes of snoring to know how to combat this seemingly “innocent” issue and what consequences to expect.

Causes of Loud Breathing

1. Blocked Nose. Breathing occurs through the nose, and when it’s blocked—due to allergies or a cold—air seeks alternative pathways, resulting in snoring.
2. Deviated Septum. The thin wall between the nostrils may be shaped in such a way that one nostril is significantly larger than the other, hindering nasal breathing. In such cases, surgical intervention is usually necessary.
3. Tonsillitis and Enlarged Adenoids—more commonly a childhood issue.
4. Sleeping on Your Back. It’s known that even healthy individuals can snore when sleeping on their backs. The problem lies in the position of the person.
5. Excess Weight and Obesity.
6. Medication Use. Sedatives and sleeping pills cause relaxation of the tongue and throat muscles, leading to snoring.
7. Excessive Alcohol Consumption and Smoking. Alcohol relaxes the respiratory muscles, while smokers have constricted airways. These factors contribute to the development of nighttime breathing pauses.
8. Weak Muscle Tone and Anatomical Features. When muscles are relaxed, the tongue can fall back into the throat, narrowing the airway. This can be exacerbated by the use of caffeine or narcotics. Among the physiological traits that can lead to this condition are the shape of the palate, which can be inherited or developed over time.

Let’s Get Serious: The Threat to Life

It’s often difficult to determine the severity of this condition on your own. A serious breathing disorder during sleep is called sleep apnea. This is not just snoring that disturbs others; it’s a pause in breathing. During sleep, muscle tone in the upper airways decreases, causing a person to stop breathing for more than 10 seconds. This condition prevents restful sleep: the brain receives signals of insufficient oxygen and tries to wake the person up. The affected individual may wake up several times during the night and feel tired, drowsy, dry-mouthed, and have a headache in the morning. Sleep apnea increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes. It is serious but treatable if one seeks timely medical attention.

Methods to Combat the Condition

These should only be chosen after a specialist has assessed the condition!

Therapeutic Treatment

This involves using oral sprays applied before bedtime to reduce swelling. Palate implants that help increase muscle tone in the palate are also used and are installed in medical facilities. Additionally, mandibular devices can be self-fitted before sleep, which help enhance the elasticity of the throat.

Surgical Intervention

Anatomical genetic and acquired deviations are primarily treated through surgery. This includes laser shortening of the uvula. This method eliminates 80-90% of snoring in patients. In particularly severe cases, tonsils may also be removed along with the uvula. This procedure expands the oropharynx, allowing air to flow freely into the body. If examinations reveal adenoids, polyps, or other growths, doctors recommend their removal as well. Such methods can effectively treat even severe snoring.

Home Remedies

These methods can be used as temporary or supplementary measures. In any case, consulting a specialist is essential! You can take the following actions on your own:

• Sleep on a high pillow, ensuring your head is elevated above your body and tilted downwards;
• Try to sleep on your side or stomach;
• If you have inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx, rinse your nasal passages and sinuses before bed, clear them out, and use decongestant nasal drops;
• Use sea buckthorn oil—before bed, place two drops in each nostril, but first ensure you’re not allergic to it;
• Use inhalations—perform them before falling asleep, using infusions of chamomile, succession, or calendula flowers.

However, the best method is a comprehensive treatment plan developed in consultation with a doctor. And finally:

A Few Tips for Snorers

1. Learn to sleep on your side.
2. Avoid alcohol before bed and quit smoking to prevent irritation of the throat.
3. Maintain a healthy weight; even losing 10% of excess body mass can help eliminate snoring.
4. Always fully recover from respiratory illnesses.
5. Try exercises for the nasopharynx and oral cavity; sing more often.
6. Be sure to visit a dentist, an otolaryngologist, and a therapist to determine the best methods and medications to combat the condition.

We wish you restful sleep and joyful morning awakenings!