Snoring

Symptoms & Causes

When the airway passages are narrow the vibration can create the sounds

associated with snoring. Other causes can include being overweight, consuming

alcohol, problems with the nasal cavity or sleep apnea. Other symptoms arising from

a night of heavy snoring can include sore throat, high blood pressure, poor

concentration and drowsiness. Only your doctor and specialist will be able to trace your symptoms to diagnose the cause and offer the right medical solution.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Your doctor will first likely ask you and your partner some questions about the degree and frequency of snoring episodes. He or she may perform a physical evaluation and could order a CT scan to look for obstructions of your airway. Some doctors may recommend a sleep study in which trained professionals will evaluate your sleep patterns in a controlled environment. Depending upon the results from the evaluations various treatment options are available. Home remedies include sleeping on your side, avoiding meals, snacks or alcohol a few hours before bed and losing weight to open up airway restriction. If these solutions are not working your doctor might suggest looking at surgical options. Dental mouthpieces, pressurized masks and traditional surgeries like tonsillectomy or somnoplasty might be solutions. Consult your doctor, specialist and surgeon before making any decision on your own.

Snoring Prevention

Stopping snoring before it becomes a bigger problem is important to anyone who wants a good night’s rest for themselves and those sleeping next to them. Combating the risk factors is a good way to be proactive: drinking alcohol, smoking and carrying extra weight are all big factors in people who develop snoring problems. Avoiding caffeine and developing regular sleep cycles are also good ideas to prevent snoring in your life.