20th March 2021 By Dr.Manvir & Saunri
Snoring
Snoring is a common condition experienced by a major portion of the adult population while sleeping. Around 31% of people in India experience snoring, Males are three times more likely to snore than women. Snoring along with certain symptoms such as repeated waking during night, feeling of getting choked during sleep, fatigue during daytime, etc., is a sleeping disorder called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Sleep apnea has a strong association with comorbidities like diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, stroke ,memory impairment and kidney diseases. Behavioural changes are also seen in patients with sleep apnea such as anger and frustration.
Causes of snoring
During transition from light sleep to deep sleep, the muscle tone of the upper respiratory tract decreases causing relaxation of muscles in the mouth such as the palate, tongue and throat muscles which leads to resistance in the air flow. Due to this, the pressure of airflow is increased causing vibration of surrounding tissues leading to snoring.
There are many factors which predispose an individual towards OSA and snoring:
- Obesity
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Genetic factors
- Anatomical defects such as a deviated nasal septum, chronic nasal congestion, large tongue, enlarged tonsils
- Hypertension
- Asthma
Management of snoring
Small changes in lifestyle can be highly effective against snoring:
- Weight management
- Physical exercises including yoga provides strength and is shown to be effective against snoring
- Avoiding alcohol and smoking
- Altering the sleeping position from supine that is sleeping on the back to lateral that is sleeping on the side, can also be helpful.
Why to meet a doctor for snoring?
You should meet a doctor if you think that your snoring could be a sign of sleep apnea. If you or your partner can not get enough sleep at night because of your snoring, it is important to meet a doctor, because unless treated, it can make you or your partner experience tiredness, day time sleepiness leading to accidents and even affect your quality of life.
Snoring and sleep apnea have serious implications on physical and mental wellbeing of an individual. Various oral appliances and surgical methods are available for the treatment, hence one should not hesitate to consult the doctor.
To seek help or know more about Snoring, you can visit the Neurology and Sleep Centre, the 1st sleep centre in the country accredited by Indian Board of Sleep Medicine at L-23, Hauz Khas Enclave, New Delhi, Delhi-110016 (INDIA)
Or give a call on +91-11-46070321, +91-9643500270,
Or write to info@neurologysleepcentre.com
