Snoring is producing a sound hoarse or grating due to a partial obstruction of the airway while sleeping. At the root of the problem may be the anatomical features of the mouth, nose problems, intake of excessive amounts of alcohol or sleep apnea .
Depending on its cause, snoring can be associated with other symptoms. The rest can be disturbed and the day you have to deal with excessive sleepiness. At night you may suffer chest pain and you may feel suffocated. Also snoring may be associated with impaired concentration and high blood pressure.
What kind of diseases can be associated with snoring?
The following diseases may be associated with snoring:
- Sleep apnea
- Nasal polyps
Remember that this is not an exhaustive list and it is highly recommended to consult your doctor, in case of symptom’s persistence.
What is the therapy for snoring?
In cases less problematic cases, you can stop snoring (or reduce the problem) by acting on factors such as weight, consumption of alcohol and taking sedatives or position taken during sleep (usually is better to sleep on the side to prevent snoring). It can also be useful to keep the head slightly raised, use patches on the nose or devices to be inserted into the mouth to keep the airway open and treat possible nasal congestion.
Any anatomical defects, such as a deviated nasal septum, may instead require surgery. In addition to traditional surgery also laser and radio frequency can solve some problems. Finally, the most serious situations may require the use of pressurized masks to breathe properly while sleeping.
When is most likely to contact your doctor in case of snoring?
You should contact your doctor if the problem causes sleeping problems or if you do wake up with a feeling of suffocation. In case you have that problem with your child, you should seek advice from your pediatrician.
