Do You Snore?
It's true, just about everybody snores once in a while. If you or your partner snore more than occasionally, you are probably well aware that chronic snoring can be a source of frustration and may be a sign of an underlying health problem.
A number of health conditions can cause snoring, ranging from temporary ailments to serious illnesses.
What causes snoring?
When we breathe, air flows through the upper airway, which is made up of soft tissue and includes the soft palate, tongue and that small flap of tissue at the back of the throat called the uvula. During sleep, these soft tissues and the facial and throat muscles that support them become very relaxed.
Snoring occurs when the soft tissue in the airway relaxes so much that it droops and partially blocks air flow during breathing. The movement of air causes the sagging tissue to vibrate, creating the rattling noise of snoring. The greater the tissue blockage, the louder the snoring gets as the airway becomes narrower.
We don't snore while we are awake because the facial and neck muscles are toned and active, keeping the airway soft tissues in place.
Common factors related to snoring include:
Congestion and swelling of throat tissues due to a minor cold or sinus allergies can interfere with normal breathing and cause occasional snoring.
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A person's anatomy can make them more prone to snoring:
- A large neck circumference or being overweight is often accompanied by areas of fatty tissue around the face and neck that can compress the airway while in deep sleep.
- Some people have thicker soft tissue features (tongue, soft palate and uvula) in the upper airway due to heredity; these can become an obstruction as they relax during sleep.
- The wall that separates the nostrils, or septum, can be mis-shaped or positioned (deviated) in a manner that it restricts breathing.
- Inflamed tonsils or growths in the nasal passages can interfere with proper breathing and contribute to snoring.
Sedatives and alcohol are depressants that can make the body extremely relaxed during sleep. For some individuals, this deeply relaxed state can also cause slacking of facial and throat muscles and soft tissue, leading to airway collapse.
Smoking is an irritant to the respiratory system and can cause swelling of the airway tissues and subsequent snoring.
Sleep-disordered breathing, or sleep apnea, is a dangerous health condition that causes the patient to stop breathing while asleep. Loud snoring with repeat pauses and gasps for air are key signs of sleep apnea. The effects of repeated breathing cessation during sleep can have a devastating impact on physical health. Learn more about Sleep Apnea.
What is the treatment for snoring?
Your physician will want to evaluate your total health picture in order to fully understand what may be causing you to snore. For some patients, lifestyle changes such as losing weight, reducing alcohol intake and avoiding sedative medications can make a difference.
If the quality of your breathing is a concern due to nasal constrictions or a diagnosis of sleep apnea, your doctor will refer you to specialists to help determine the best course of action.
Image courtesy of True Function Laboratory
Oral Appliance Therapy for Snoring
Macon dentist Dr. Leigh Bennett works closely with sleep physicians to provide oral appliance therapy for management of snoring and sleep-disordered breathing. Dr. Bennett has a focused interest and extensive training in dental sleep medicine, TMJ disorders and management of orofacial pain.
A sleep specialist may recommend a removable oral appliance to assist with maintaining the airway during sleep as an alternative to CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). A primary objective of an oral sleep appliance is to hold the lower jaw (mandible) in a position that keeps the airway open during sleep.
The sleep specialist provides Dr. Bennett with the device prescription and requirements, and Dr. Bennett examines the mouth, palate, jaw joints, teeth, tongue and bite to design the sleep appliance to fit and function properly.
Proper air flow without interference during sleep can make a significant difference in the patient's ability to enjoy healthy, restful sleep.
Learn more about Oral Appliance Therapy.
Local support for snoring at Hartley Bridge TMJ & Dental Sleep Center of Macon
Are you or a loved one affected by chronic snoring? Ask your physician or contact our Hartley Bridge TMJ & Dental Sleep Center team for more information about the health benefits of snore-free sleep.