'Snoring' The Risk of Sleep Apnea

     Snoring is an abnormal sound occurring during sleep, caused by the partial obstruction of the upper airway. It typically becomes louder when sleeping on one's back. It is more common in males and tends to worsen with age. Mild cases can be alleviated through lifestyle changes, such as side-sleeping and avoiding alcohol before bedtime.

What Causes Snoring?

     Snoring is caused by the relaxation of muscles in the throat and neck walls during sleep. This leads to airway obstruction at certain points, causing vibrations of the muscles, tissues, soft palate, throat walls, base of the tongue, and uvula. As the airway narrows, breathing through these areas results in the sound of snoring. When symptoms become severe, they can affect breathing to the point where it temporarily stops, known as “Sleep Apnea”

Factors Contributing to Snoring

Snoring and sleep apnea are caused by several risk factors, including:

• Overweight: Individuals with higher body weight tend to have narrower upper airways than those within a normal weight range.
• Nasal allergy symptoms.
• Deviated nasal septum or abnormal facial/jaw structure (e.g., small or receding chin).
• Enlarged tonsils obstructing the airway.
• Regular consumption of alcohol or smoking.
• Use of medications that cause drowsiness, such as antihistamines, sleeping pills, or sedatives.
• Men are 6–10 times more likely to snore than women.
• Women experience increased snoring when reaching menopause.

Severity Levels of Snoring (3 Levels)

Level 1 Severity

     Initial symptoms are usually common snoring, occurring infrequently and not very loudly. This level does not yet affect breathing during sleep but may impact the sleep quality of a partner.

Level 2 Severity

     This level involves frequent snoring, occurring more than 3 days per week. Snoring at this level may have a mild to moderate impact on breathing during sleep, causing daytime drowsiness and fatigue.

Level 3 Severity

     Level 3 involves daily and loud snoring. At this level, sleep apnea often occurs, where the airway may be partially or completely blocked for about 10 seconds. This results in insufficient oxygen to the brain and affects overall quality of life.

Treatment for Snoring

Doctors recommend initial lifestyle changes for those with mild snoring, such as weight loss, avoiding alcohol (especially before bedtime), and changing sleep positions from lying on the back to the side. For those with severe snoring or snoring caused by sleep apnea, doctors may recommend the following treatments:

• Anti-snoring devices: Used when lifestyle changes fail to alleviate snoring.
• Surgery: Used when lifestyle changes or anti-snoring devices are ineffective.
• Medication: To treat the root cause, such as antihistamines to reduce swelling and irritation in the nose from allergic rhinitis or nasal decongestants (should not be used for more than 7 consecutive days as it may worsen symptoms).

Snoring affects both the health of the snorer and disturbs their partner. It is most common in males and worsens with age.

Revised

25/08/2022