Snoring is, more often than not, a very annoying and disturbing habit. Snoring is the act of breathing in and out through the open mouth in a manner that causes a vibration of the uvula and the soft palate. This vibration gives off a sound that may vary from a soft noise to a loud and unpleasant sound. Snoring is a habit that is most common during sleep and also occurs immediately after death. The basic cause of snoring is the presence of some kind of blockage in the breathing passage of a person. This blockage can be caused by many things like the tongue which usually falls into the throat when the person is in a lying position. Snoring could also be caused by an allergic reaction when the tissues that line the airway inflame and result in a degree of obstruction. There are also anatomical causes for snoring such as throat weakness that causes the throat to close up during sleep or a misaligned jaw and that is often caused by tension in muscles. Snoring can also be caused by fat tissues gathering in and around the throat causing closure. These blockages cause the airflow along the breathing passage to become irregular resulting in the flapping of the soft palate. It is this flapping of the soft palate that makes the snoring sound. Snoring is usually an involuntary action but the sounds can be produced voluntarily. Doctors advise people who snore while sleeping and are drowsy when awake to be checked for sleep disorders. Snoring is not considered a health risk to the majority of snorers. However, if it is snoring that is caused by a significant obstruction of the breathing passage, it could be an indication of a disorder that may be life threatening. A person who snores may potentially have the disorder called sleep apnea. Also, even if the snoring may not be damaging to the snorer, it can be deeply disturbing to the snorer's bedmate resulting in him or her losing sleep. This loss of sleep makes the person sleepy all day long and could lead to problems for the person and those around him. Loss of sleep could also lead to life-threatening problems in some cases. Studies have shown that there is a psychological component involved in snoring which causes discomfort to any listener depending on the loudness, tone, frequency, and other auditorial attributes of the snore. Studies have also shown that in married partners, there is a direct inverse relationship between snoring and frequency of sexual activity. This means that there is generally less sexual activity if one partner is a heavy snorer. There are cures for this annoying habit. Almost all of the cures for snoring revolve around the idea of clearing the blockage in the breathing passage that causes the vibrations. This is the reason why snorers are advised to stop smoking because smoking weakens and clogs the throat. There also throat exercises to help strengthen the throat. Snorers are also advised to lose weight to stop the development of fat tissue that presses on the throat. Almost an immediate cure for snoring is simply sleeping on their side because this prevents the tongue from blocking the throat. These cures are simple and easy to do, but for many snorers these are not enough. Surgery like uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is one option to cure snoring. Another it is dental appliances such as a mandibular advancement splint. There are also other devices such as nose clips to keep the nose open and jaw mechanics to keep the jaw in the right position. |
