My Doctor Never Told Me That! by Christine Spurlock

Author:Christine Spurlock
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-11-15T16:00:00+00:00

Do You Snore?

“Me snore? Noooo! Well, maybe a little, but it's not really a problem.”

Many of us sound like we're sawing logs at night, but unless it's keeping everyone in the neighborhood awake, we don't think much of it. This is a mistake. The fact is that there are a few things you should know about this behavior.

Chronic snoring can actually increase your chances of getting other conditions, so let's examine what snoring is, why people snore, and what can be done about it.

As you fall asleep, the muscles in the roof of your mouth, your tongue, and throat begin to relax. If they relax enough, depending on the position of your head, they can partially obstruct your airway. When this space shrinks, you have a smaller space for air to pass though. Your body needs the same amount of oxygen so you begin to breathe harder. Forced breathing can cause the tissue in your throat to vibrate. The harder you have to breathe, the more the tissue vibrates and the louder the snore.

Your air space can get crowded for a number of different reasons. The tissues in the back of your throat can get too thick, or your uvula (punching bag-looking thing hanging at the back of your throat) can become too long. These changes are usually associated with weight gain. The muscles can become too relaxed from alcohol consumption before bed—there's alcohol in a lot of cold and flu remedies, too. Sedatives like sleeping pills work the same way. Finally, your nose may not be doing its fair share of the work. A deviated septum, possibly from a broken nose, may be to blame.

What do you lose by snoring? Sleep, in both quality and quantity. If the occasional stray elbow doesn't nudge you out of REM, the noise you make can actually jolt you awake. There's the daytime drag that you experience after your body overworked itself to get enough air and missed out on those restorative zzzs. And for those long-term snorers, the oxygen deprivation has been proven to increase the risk of diabetes, heart failure, and stroke. We tend not think of oxygen because it's everywhere, but getting just a little less each night can hurt every cell in your body.

There are things you can do: Since obesity is the number-one cause of snoring, shedding a few pounds will mean that your whole body—including your throat—gets more toned. You can try sleeping on your side to prevent your tongue from rolling to the back of your mouth. Some people have had success with nose strips. Many have luck with steam inhalation, avoiding big meals before bed, and investing in a firm pillow.

Everyone is different, and what's important is finding what works for you and sticking with it.

Sleep well.

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