Eliminate Snoring

Rose know some people have a hard time trying to eliminate snoring.  Snoring usually happens when air passages are blocked inhibiting easy and normal breathing while you sleep unlike when your throat muscles are keep open when you are awake. During sleep the throat muscles relax and sag inward. As these muscles collapse they create a blockage in the airway. The relaxed muscles then cause a vibration of the uvula and soft palate when air is forced through the narrow opening of the air passage as you breathe into your lungs. The soft palate is the upper surface of your mouth that separates the oral and nasal cavities just behind the hard palate which has no bone structure. The uvula is the soft tissue that hangs down in the back of the throat.


There are varying degrees of obstruction. One way is when you sleep with your mouth open as this pushes the tongue back against the uvula. Another is when the throat muscles become too lax due to allergies, congestion, smoking, acid reflux, deformities, medication, illnesses, obesity or enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Many of these reasons are treatable by surgery or by changing ones lifestyle.

Lastly, you could be suffering from sleep apnea a condition where the snorer stops breathing for a couple of seconds at a time depleting oxygen from the brain. In this case the snorer awakens gasping for air. This reaction may occur many times throughout the night. Sleep apnea is also known as obstructive sleep apnea or OSA. OSA not only causes snoring it also is related to other health problems such as; heart disease, stroke and hypertension. Recent studies have found that a disruption of oxygen to the brain produces more catecholamines. Catecholamines are stress hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine. An increase of catecholamines will reduce insulin levels which could lead to diabetes over time.


A study done in Israel has shown those that suffer from OSA also have heart disease due to high levels of homocysteine which is an amino acid produced in the body. High levels of homocysteine cause radical damage which irritate blood vessels block arteries and cause oxidation to the low-density lipoproteins or LDLs. OSA is also associated with hypothyroidism as those that are obese and have macroglossia may be the cause. Macroglossia is when a person with hypothyroidism has a bigger tongue. Hypothyroidism is treatable, but the person may still suffer from OSA due to the fact that extra fat on the throat will cause pressure on the air passage.

Losing at least 10% of body fat may alleviate this pressure. If OSA is still present a sleep specialist may recommend a CPAP device or a SleepStrip test. A SleepStrip test is a plastic strip that is fastened to the upper lip. Tiny temperature sensors record when the patient stops breathing. CPAP device is worn over the nose and mouth and will force air into the patient to keep the air passage open. Both devices are worn when the patient is sleeping.


Children that snore usually have enlarged tonsils and adenoids that block the air passageway. Usually removing them will correct their snoring. Some feel children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD snore. Studies have found when treating the snoring problem eliminates ADHD. The sleep-behavior link rests on the concept that snoring, sleep apnea and other breathing problems during sleep diminish the quality of sleep, repeatedly reduce oxygen levels, and affect daytime behavior.

Sleep problems in both children and adults are often undiagnosed, even though they can have a major impact on health, behavior and quality of life. Eliminate snoring; getting enough sleep, adopting a sleep routine, and seeking medical help for sleep disorders can have a huge impact on the life of a child or an adult. If you feel your snoring is causing concerns for you or your bed partner, it is advisable to contact your physician. Snoring may be a warning sign as an unforeseen health problem you may have now or sometime in the future.