Should I be Concerned about Snoring?

                               

Snoring is a common condition that can affect anyone, men and women, socially and medically.  Socially, snoring is disruptive to family life and causes other family member sleepless nights.  A recent study by the Department of Health advertisements promoting martial health reports that snoring is a potential source of tension between spouses.  Medically, snoring can be a warning sign of a serious medical condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

                                                 

What is Snoring?

Snoring occurs when something blocks air from flowing freely through the nose and mouth.  When you breathe, the walls of the throat vibrate and cause the snoring sound.

What are some of the causes that can lead to snoring?

·       swollen tonsils and adenoids that block the airways

·       being overweight, the fatty tissue in the neck puts pressure on the airways

·       growths in the nasal passages (nasal polys)

·       nasal congestion, stuffy nose from a cold or allergies

·       alcohol consumption before bedtime reduces the resting tone of the muscles in the back of the throat (reports WebMD)

** Snoring is definitely a concern because it is linked to a serious medical condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).  What it means is that if you snore, you may be at risk of having Obstructive Sleep Apnea. What are the symptoms of OSA?