Forty-five percent of adults snore at least occasionally and 25 percent are habitual snorers. While there are devices available that reposition the lower jaw forward, open nasal air passages and even produce an unpleasant stimuli when snoring occurs, the truth is that snoring is not under your control. In fact, if anti-snoring devices work, it is probably because they keep you awake.
What Causes Snoring?
The noisy sounds of snoring occur when there is an obstruction to the free flow of air through the passages at the back of the mouth and nose. This area is the collapsible part of the airway where the tongue and upper throat meet the soft palate and uvula. Snoring occurs when these structures strike each other and vibrate during breathing.
People who snore may suffer from:
- Poor muscle tone in the tongue and throat. When muscles are too relaxed, either from alcohol or drugs that cause sleepiness, the tongue falls backwards into the airway or the throat muscles draw in from the sides into the airway. This can also happen during deep sleep.
- Excessive bulkiness of throat tissue. Children with large tonsils and adenoids often snore. Overweight people have bulky neck tissue, too. Cysts or tumors can also cause bulk, but they are rare.
- Long soft palate and/or uvula. A long palate narrows the opening from the nose into the throat. As it dangles, it acts as a noisy flutter valve during relaxed breathing. A long uvula makes matters even worse.
- Obstructed nasal airways. A stuffy or blocked nose requires extra effort to pull air through it. This creates an exaggerated vacuum in the throat, and pulls together the floppy tissues of the throat, and snoring results. So, snoring often occurs only during the hay fever season or with a cold or sinus infection.
- Also, deformities of the nose or nasal septum, such as a deviated septum (a deformity of the wall that separates one nostril from the other) can cause such an obstruction.
Is Snoring Serious?
Socially, yes! It can be, when it makes the snorer an object of ridicule and causes others sleepless nights and resentfulness.
Medically, yes! It disturbs sleeping patterns and deprives the snorer of appropriate rest. When snoring is severe, it can cause serious, long-term health problems, including obstructive sleep apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
When loud snoring is interrupted by frequent episodes of totally obstructed breathing, it is known as obstructive sleep apnea. Serious episodes last more than ten seconds each and occur more than seven times per hour. Apnea patients may experience 30 to 300 such events per night. These episodes can reduce blood oxygen levels, causing the heart to pump harder.
The cessation of breathing automatically forces the sufferer to wake up in order to start breathing again. This can happen many times during the night making it hard for the body to get enough oxygen, and obtain good quality sleep. If the sufferer is overweight and/or has a collar size of 16½" or greater, the fatty tissue around the neck area may squeeze the airway closed thus preventing air from reaching the lungs. Sometimes however it can be the result of a blockage such as the tongue dropping to the back of the throat. You cannot diagnose SA yourself - it can only be determined by undergoing an overnight sleep study.
The immediate effect of sleep apnea is that the snorer must sleep lightly and keep his muscles tense in order to keep airflow to the lungs. Because the snorer does not get a good rest, he may be sleepy during the day, which impairs job performance and makes him a hazardous driver or equipment operator. After many years with this disorder, elevated blood pressure and heart enlargement may occur.
Snoring Facts
- 41% of middle age men and 28% of middle age women snore.
- Most common reasons for snoring are being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Other reasons include allergy, obstruction of the tongue caused by a weak chin, small or collapsing nostrils, mouth-breathing caused by nasal stuffiness, deviated septum, catarrhal congestion, enlarged nasal turbinates, nasal polyps, large soft palate or uvula.
- The causes of snoring are often multi-factored.
- Generally women don't snore as much as men because the cross-sectional area of their upper airway is greater. Additionally the airway walls are less flexible and therefore less prone to collapse during sleep.
- Common reasons for snoring in children are passive smoking, problems with tonsils and adenoids or incorrect jaw shape (receding chin).
Natural Remedies for Snoring: Snore No More
Snoring is aggravating to the snorer, for certain, but perhaps even more aggravating to the poor family members being kept awake by the noise! Saje Snore No More Remedy is formulated using essential oils specifically chosen to relieve minor respiratory conditions, reduce restlessness, and create the optimum conditions for slumber. This powerful remedy comes in an easy-to-apply, roll-on format.
In addition to using our natural, sleep-inducing remedy, you can try the below:
- Try a different sleep position & make sure you have a regular sleep pattern. Sleeping flat on your back causes the flesh of your throat to relax and blocks the airway. A snorer's best position is on their side.
- Consider losing weight. Excess body weight puts pressure on the airway causing it to partially collapse.
- Avoid alcohol. "Both alcohol and sleeping pills can depress your central nervous system and relax the muscles of your throat and jaw, making snoring more likely. These substances are also known to contribute to sleep apnea, a dangerous condition that has been linked with cardiovascular disease. And they should never, ever be used together. If you have difficulty sleeping without sleeping pills (or if you use alcohol to help yourself fall asleep), discuss it with your doctor." - How Stuff Works
- Change your pillows and diffuse!
- By keeping your pillows clean and diffusing blends like Allergy Release, you can reduce the allergens in the air. Allergens effect the respiratory system, which can also cause many of us to snore. Try diffusing our Allergy Release in your Nebulizer while you sleep!
- Staying hydrated will keep your nasal passages hydrated, which could help with snoring. You can also try a hot shower right before bed to moisten your airway!
Good night, sleep tight!