Normal breathing involves a smooth flow of air through the throat and lungs. When you are awake, the muscles help to maintain the surrounding structures so that the air reaches the lungs and does not encounter any obstacles along the way. During sleep, the muscles are at rest but the airways in the throat should remain open to allow air supply to the lungs.
Snoring is a serious problem affecting 60% of men and 40% of women between 40 and 60 years of age. Medicine and dentistry abroad usually treat snoring as an inconvenience. Many relatives of such patients believe snoring is a serious social problem as it deteriorates the sleep of the relatives as well. In response, they have to prod their partners or sleep in separate bedrooms. Snoring can lead to a more serious condition called apnea. Snoring occurs when patient's tongue falls back and partially clogs the airways. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the tongue completely blocks the airways.
Apnea is the cessation of nasal breathing for ten seconds. Thirty or more episodes of apnea during 7-hours sleep at night is considered to be sleep apnea. People affected by the disease have hundreds of episodes of apnea during one night, each lasting from 10 to 200 seconds. This limits the amount of oxygen delivered to the body and brain and disrupts the normal sleep cycle. Daytime symptoms of sleep apnea range from a mild inability to concentrate for extreme sleepiness at the time of quiet sitting. These patients may fall asleep while watching TV, at work or even while driving! Severe cases of sleep apnea can be life threatening. It can cause hypertension, which can provoke a stroke or heart attack. Because sleep apnea is a medical disorder with serious health implications, all patients are advised to consult a doctor or specialist in sleep disorders before starting oral treatment apparatus.
Facts about snoring:
- One in eight people snore
- About 18 million people suffer from periodic apnea
- 28% of men over age 65 suffer from periodic apnea
- Up to 50% of patients suffering from periodic apnea have high blood pressure
- In the case of patients with periodic apnea, the risk of heart attack and stroke increases
- Almost 60% of the population suffers from sleepiness during the day, a side effect of periodic apnea
- Snoring stops or decreases significantly in the case of patients wearing special apparatus in the mouth
- In the U.S., diseases that result from complications of sleep, cost the state 15.9 billion.
What can I do to have a good night's sleep?
- Every day, go to bed at the same time
- Avoid alcohol
- Exercise regularly to be under the control of your weight and blood pressure
- Avoid caffeine after 18:00
- Avoid large meals before bedtime
- Before going to bed, do some relaxation exercises
- Invest in a good mattress and pillow
- Keep the temperature in the room in a comfortable range
- Create a relaxing environment in the bedroom
How to reduce the risk of snoring?
- Train sleeping on your side
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- Use a decongestant
- Before going to bed, avoid alcohol and sleeping pills
No comments:
Post a Comment