 Snoring—what is it, exactly?
Snoring is simply an obstruction to the free flow of air
through the back of your mouth and nose. This area is
the collapsible part of the airway where your tongue and
upper throat meet the soft palate and uvula. When these
structures strike each other and vibrate, you are snoring.
What causes someone to snore?
• Long, soft palate and/or uvula
• Excessive bulkiness of throat tissue
(large tonsils, obesity, cysts or tumors)
• Obstructed nasal airways (a stuffy or blocked nose)
• Deformities of the nose or nasal septum (such as a deviated septum)
• Poor muscle tone in the tongue and throat
Is snoring serious?
Yes, when snoring is severe it can be serious. Snoring disturbs your sleeping patterns and deprives you of appropriate rest. Your snoring may be a significant problem for someone else as well. When left untreated, snoring can cause long-term health problems, including sleep apnea.
"Apnea" literally means "without breath."
There are three types of apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common. It is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep. Central sleep apnea is caused by a blockage in the airway. However, in central sleep apnea, the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe. Mixed sleep apnea, as the name implies, is a combination of the two. With each apnea event, the brain briefly arouses people with sleep apnea in order for them to resume breathing, but consequently sleep is extremely fragmented and of poor quality.
When left untreated...
Sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease, weight gain, memory problems, impotency and headaches. Untreated sleep apnea may also cause job impairment and vehicle accidents. Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated. Both medical and surgical options are available.
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