| |
Half percent of normal adults snore at least occasionally, and 25 percent are habitual snorers. Problem snoring is more frequent in males and overweight persons, and it usually gets worse with age.
The noisy sounds of snoring occur when there is an obstruction to the free flow of air through the passages at the back of the mouth and nose. This area is the collapsible part of the airway where the tongue and upper throat meet the soft palate and uvula. Snoring occurs when these structures strike each other and vibrate during breathing.
People who snore may suffer from:
- Relaxed muscle and throat tissue
- Excessive bulkiness of throat tissue such as enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
- Long soft palate and/or uvula.
- Obstructed nasal airways.
Also, deformities of the nose or nasal septum, such as a deviated septum (a deformity of the wall that separates one nostril from the other) can cause such an obstruction.
When loud snoring is interrupted by frequent episodes of totally obstructed breathing at least 10 seconds , it is known as obstructive sleep apnea. These episodes can reduce blood oxygen levels, causing the heart to pump harder.
The immediate effect of sleep apnea is that the snorer must sleep lightly and keep his muscles tense in order to keep airflow to the lungs. Because the snorer does not get a good rest, he may be sleepy during the day, which impairs job performance. After many years with this disorder, elevated blood pressure and heart enlargement may occur.
Heavy snorers should seek medical advice to ensure that sleep apnea is not a problem. An otolaryngologist will provide a thorough examination of the nose, mouth, throat, palate, and neck. A sleep study in a laboratory environment may be necessary to determine how serious the snoring is.
Treatment depends on the diagnosis. An examination will reveal if the snoring is caused by nasal allergy, infection, deformity, or tonsils and adenoids. A tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy may be required to return the child to full health.
There are some surgical procedures that can be performed such as Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) ,Thermal Ablation Palatoplasty (TAP) and Genioglossus and hyod advancement
If surgery is too risky or unwanted, the patient may sleep every night with a nasal mask that delivers air pressure into the throat; this is called continuous positive airway pressure or "CPAP".
|
|
