Snoring and Sleep

Snoring is a common problem that can affect people of all ages.  Studies have shown that thirty to fifty percent of middle-aged adults have experienced some trouble with snoring, which can affect the quality of their sleep and, as a result, their energy levels and focus during their daily lives.  Snoring results from the vibration of respiratory structures in the throat and mouth.  The structures involved are the uvula and soft palate, and the irregular airflow that produces the distinctive sound of the snore is caused by a blockage of the breathing passageway near these structures.

The sounds given off during nighttime snoring are caused by the obstruction of air movement while breathing.  This breath obstruction can develop into more severe conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, in which the person snoring actually stops breathing for intermittent periods of time throughout the night.  Needless to say, the health effects of such conditions are serious, and sleep apnea and severe snoring can lead to high blood pressure, mood disorders, and increased risk of heart attack and stroke.  Sleep snoring can affect your performance at work, your relationships, and you overall health.  If you snore, it is important to receive a consultation with a sleep specialist or ear, nose, and throat doctor.

Causes and Effects of Snoring

Snoring can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from the positioning of the body during sleep to a long-term sleep disorder such as sleep apnea.  Snoring can cause sleep deprivation to both snorers and for those around them.  In addition, if you snore you may experience daily drowsiness, irritability, reduction in ability to focus, and decreased libido.  Some people try different devices, such as pillows or nasal passage strips in order to stop snoring and these may be effective in light cases, but repetitive snoring can be a sign of a more serious problem such as sleep apnea and should be diagnosed and treated by a trained physician.

Research has shown that as people age, the frequency and likelihood of nightly snoring increases.  However, even children can experience problems related to snoring that can affect their performance in school and physical and mental development.  In children, the most common causes of snoring and sleep apnea are enlargement of the tonsils and adenoids, or nasal airway obstruction from an upper airway infection or allergies. Pediatric patients who have obstructive sleep apnea tend to respond very well to the removal of enlarged tonsils and adenoids. This can often be done as an outpatient procedure, depending on the age and health of the child.  For both adults and children, there are many snoring remedies that range from simple devices to surgical options that can yield long-term relief in chronic snorers.

Snoring Treatment

There are many options available for people seeking professional snoring treatment and new technologies and procedures are being developed that are more effective at permanently decreasing snoring and its negative health effects.   Improvement in sleep and reduction of snoring can be made through healthier lifestyle choices, such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol consumption before bed.  Other treatment options for chronic snoring and sleep apnea that are provided by the Atlanta Snoring Institute include allergy treatments, nasal surgical improvements, Pillar implants, and somnoplasty of the soft palate.  These procedures are minimally-invasive and can be completed in one short office visit.