Is Snoring A Disease?

Disorders Cure

oi-Devaki

By Devaki

Tuesday, May 11, 2010, 13:30

Has your partner started complaining about your new habit of snoring? Don't get embarrassed.

It might be occasional in your case, though it worries or becomes a nuisance for your spouse.

Snoring is a common sleep disorder caused by the obstruction in the air passage due to the reasons like stuffy nose, allergy, sinus infection, nasal polyps, etc. It is also caused by obesity or the habits of smoking and drinking.

The physical obstruction of air flow through the air passage makes it vibrate during the breathing. This results the distinctive sounds of snoring.

Snoring cannot be considered as a disease, as it generally affects 40 to 45 percent of adults, at least occasionally. Analyze the reason for your snoring and think about the best method to break the habit, though it might be occasional.

If the reason is obesity, try to lose weight. Improve the fitness level.

Those who have stuffy nose or sinus infection can make their sleep more comfortable by elevating the level of head on the bed using pillows. Light snoring due to common cold or infection can be prevented to a certain extent by taking steam inhalation, before going to bed.

The position of sleeping sometimes affects the effortless breathe. Sleeping on the back leads the blockage of airway as it puts pressure on the soft tissues situated at the back of throat and tongue, making it to glide backwards very often. The best remedy for this is to sleep on your side instead.

Breathing exercises are helpful to prevent snoring. Practicing music is also beneficial as it makes the walls of air passage very flexible, thus ceasing the habit.

The intermittent loud snoring can be due to a serious sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea which should be treated with the help of a doctor. For such cases, there are sleep clinics which offer medical helps or even surgeries for the sleep disturbances.

The medical cures for snoring include 'continuous positive airway treatment,' where the patient will be provided pressurized air through the face mask using a machine, while sleeping. The process is painful, but helpful for the snorers.

There are some other devices like Sleep Genie, which adjusts the mouth and jaw to the correct position, there by eliminating the habit.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.