Why do people snore

The main reason is that the inhaled air passes through the nasopharynx abnormally and causes vibrations. A stuffy nose, unfortunate sleeping posture can be the cause of soft snoring, which does not interfere with sleep neither the snorer nor his family.

Other reasons:

• narrowing of the airway;
• dislocation of the mandible;
• polyps or adenoids in the nose;
• weakening of the pharyngeal muscles;
• deviated nasal septum (congenital or acquired);
• overweight;
• hormonal imbalance.

Snoring can be caused by severe fatigue and many other factors.

Dangers of snoring

The first is hypoxia of the brain, which is under-oxygenated. The second – during rest, a person does not fall into the phase of deep sleep, and therefore suffers from fatigue, sleepiness. Snoring causes short awakenings (up to 15 seconds) that go unnoticed by the sleeper. These factors are not conducive to a full rest.

The third danger is sleep apnea. The person stops breathing for short periods in sleep. Lack of oxygen significantly impairs concentration, memory, attention, there is constant drowsiness and fatigue. Episodes of respiratory arrest, depending on the severity of the disease, can be several dozen per night. Apnea can lead to sudden death.

What sleep apnea looks like:

1. The person falls asleep and starts snoring, the intensity increases.
2. At some point he goes quiet, his chest doesn’t move, there is no breathing.
3. This period can last from 10 seconds to several minutes.
4. The sleeper snorts loudly, inhales, and the cycle repeats.

The social problem of snoring is also worth noting. It affects family members who are awakened by the loud sound, can’t get to sleep on time, and experience the stress of not getting enough rest. It makes family relationships much worse.

Diagnosis

It is more correct to say: diagnosing the causes of snoring. You need to see an otolaryngologist or somnologist. At the appointment, the doctor often interviews the patient’s family members or roommates to get information about the frequency, loudness of snoring.

The second stage is the collection of anamnesis. You should find out the possible causes of snoring: injuries, illnesses, alcohol consumption, lifestyle, etc. Most often, a sleep study (polysomnography) is performed in a special laboratory to confirm or deny sleep apnea.

This is an expensive but very reliable method of diagnosis. During sleep, sensors record respiration rates, heartbeat, eye movement, respiratory arrest and sleep phase. Additional tests may be needed if doctors suspect abnormalities in the structure of the nasopharynx.

Can snoring be cured

Yes. It is not the snoring itself that is treated, but the cause that causes it. A deviated nasal septum is corrected surgically.

We invite patients with snoring for diagnosis in the clinic “MDI”. We have all the experts to help you get rid of the problem. We offer modern treatment methods and individualized approach.