Many people think that “snoring” is a normal thing that everyone experiences. It may affect those around you with noise but is not considered serious. However, did you know that… if you snore regularly or have sleep apnea along with it, it can seriously harm your health?
How does “snoring” occur?
Snoring is a condition where loud sounds occur during sleep, caused by the relaxation of the soft palate muscles, the pharynx, and the tongue, which relax and sag during sleep, narrowing the upper airway and causing the snoring sound.
Snoring symptoms range from mild to severe. It usually occurs during deep sleep and becomes louder when lying on the back. In severe cases, snoring occurs in all sleeping positions along with breathing difficulties or pauses during sleep, causing irregular airflow to the lower airway or lungs, resulting in insufficient oxygen supply to various body systems.
Dangerous snoring… should be monitored
Besides affecting those around you, snoring is directly related to sleep apnea, a dangerous condition that should be monitored. So, what types of snoring are concerning?
- Regularly loud snoring
- Breathing pauses intermittently during sleep
- Symptoms like choking or gasping for air during sleep
- Waking up in the morning feeling unrefreshed or like you didn’t get enough sleep
- Regular morning headaches
- Unusual daytime fatigue and excessive sleepiness
- Lack of concentration and poor memory
- Dry mouth, dry throat, or sore throat upon waking
- Frequent urination at night
- Teeth grinding during sleep
- Chest pain at night
- High blood pressure without a clear cause
Who is at risk of snoring?
Although “snoring” seems normal, not everyone snores. Let’s see… who is more likely to “snore”?
- Overweight individuals, as those with higher weight tend to have narrower upper airways than those with normal weight
- People with nasal allergies or nasal polyps
- Those with a deviated or crooked nasal septum, or abnormal facial or chin structure such as a small or recessed chin
- People with enlarged tonsils blocking the airway
- Regular alcohol drinkers and smokers
- Those taking medications that cause drowsiness, such as antihistamines, sleeping pills, or sedatives
- Women who are menopausal or pregnant
See a doctor for diagnosis… snoring symptoms
If you or someone close to you snores, you should see a specialist to diagnose whether it is simple snoring without apnea (primary snoring) or snoring with obstructive sleep apnea.
- The doctor will take a detailed medical history and ask about symptoms from close contacts
- Conduct a thorough physical examination
- May perform blood tests and imaging
- Sleep tests can determine if it is simple snoring or sleep apnea, assess the severity of apnea, and evaluate sleep quality
“Snoring”… treat it without delay!!
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of symptoms, including both non-surgical and surgical options. Specialists will evaluate each patient to determine the appropriate treatment.
Non-surgical treatment
- Weight loss and regular exercise
- Adjust sleeping position: sleep with head elevated, sleep on the side, avoid sleeping on the back
- Avoid alcohol and quit smoking
- Use devices to keep the airway open or unobstructed during sleep, such as CPAP machines or dental mouthpieces
- Use medications or nasal sprays to open the airway
Surgical treatment
Surgery aims to enlarge the upper airway and is suitable for patients with anatomical abnormalities causing snoring or sleep apnea, as well as those who have not succeeded with non-surgical treatments.
- Nasal surgery for deviated septum or nasal polyps
- Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
- Soft palate surgery and uvula reshaping
- Base of tongue surgery
- Jaw surgery
“Snoring” not only disturbs the rest of those around you but also gradually deteriorates the health of the snorer. Therefore, if you or someone close to you snores regularly, you should promptly see a specialist for a thorough diagnosis to receive the most appropriate treatment.
