If you snore while sleeping, sleep breaks again and again, then know that this is a danger bell. Snoring is a commonly ignored problem in our society. This not only affects the sleep and health of the snorer, but also causes a lot of trouble to the people around. In many cases, even marriages of people have been broken due to snoring. So why do you snore? When does snoring become dangerous? What is the treatment for snoring? How can the problem of snoring be avoided? Let’s know.
Why do we snore?
When we inhale and exhale during sleep, we snore because of the vibration in the soft tissue of our neck and head.
Dr. Ravi Shekhar Jha, Director, Pulmonology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, told, “The biggest reason for snoring is the obstruction in the airways, which is mostly seen in the nose and throat. When you breathe heavily, especially while sleeping, your muscle tone is low at that time, there is any obstruction in your nasal passage while breathing, whether you have sinus, whether you have too much fat around your throat, So the inside of your throat or the overall diameter of the airways would have decreased. The air has to vibrate very fast to pass through that small space, due to which the sound of this vibration comes out in the form of snoring.
“Snoring means that there is some or the other obstruction in your breath, which when it increases more, can take the form of a dangerous disease like sleep apnea.”
Dr. Ravi Shekhar Jha, Director – Pulmonology, Fortis Escorts Faridabad
Snoring is not a disease in itself, but can be a sign of a disease like obstructive sleep apnea. Remember, there is a difference between snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
What are the symptoms of snoring?
All these symptoms can be seen when snoring:
- loud breathing and exhalation while sleeping
- to be lethargic and lethargic all day long
- feeling tired
- headache in the morning
- sleep more
- memory lapses
- be mentally stressed
What are the causes of snoring?
There can be many reasons for snoring such as:
- obesity
- heavy drinking
- growing old
- Cold and cough
Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are more common in men and older people. Especially if they are overweight (BMI>30 kg/m2) and if they have a large tongue and short neck, as well as if their collar size (neck circumference) exceeds 17 inches. Snoring can also occur in children when their tonsils or adenoids are enlarged.
When does snoring become dangerous?
Dr. Ravi Shekhar Jha explains that snoring is not good sleep. The problem of snoring can turn into sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can also be fatal.
- breathlessness with snoring
- rapid leg movements in sleep
- head shaking in sleep
- daytime sleepiness with snoring
Snoring increases blood pressure, due to which the risk of heart attack increases. Apart from this, a person can become a victim of many more serious diseases due to snoring.
What is the treatment for snoring problem?
The treatment of snoring problem depends on the symptoms. Doctors treat this problem on the basis of symptoms. like:
- Spray or medicine should be taken for the nose in case of sinus.
- In case of obesity, weight loss and lifestyle changes should be made.
- In case of thyroid problem, the doctor’s medicines should be taken on time without delay.
- If there is a complaint of sleep apnea with snoring, then the most effective is the CPAP machine.
- Some people may also need surgery.
How to stay away from the problem of snoring?
To stay away from this problem, be careful and contact the doctor and take all the measures mentioned.
- It is important to find out the cause of snoring
- keep cold away
- keep weight under control
- keep thyroid under control
- Adenoid surgery may be needed in children
- stay away from alcohol at night
If you are snoring, then you must go to a sleep specialist, who will test your sleep study to find out whether it is only a problem of snoring or obstructive sleep apnea.