Snoring

Introduction

Unfortunately snoring is no laughing matter.

Snoring is the most common sleep disorder, classified as Upper Airway Obstructive disorder(UAOD) , afflicting almost half the population of Australian men (44%) and one in three Australian women (30%). That's seven million Australians!

During sleep, the muscles of the soft palate, uvula at the back of the throat and larynx, lose their muscle tone, relax, and begin vibrating against the back of the throat or the base of the tongue, when breathing in and out, creating the noise. This can happen when nose-breathing or mouth-breathing.

Snoring can also occur when you have a stuffy nose from a cold or sinusitis, or when falling asleep in an upright position (for example, in a chair) because the jaw relaxes and drops open. Snoring reduces oxygen supply to the brain and body tissues, triggering an arousal within the brain. It is the oxygen deprivation and repetitious arousals that are the risk factors for poor health.

There is growing evidence that the primary cause of UAOD is caused by poor integration within certain areas of the brain, thereby classifying, surgery and more than 200 mechanical devices in the market to reduce the noise, as band aid solution.

Symptoms of Snoring

Many of the symptoms of snoring are related to sleep and oxygen deprivation:

• Nightmares and restlessness
• Night sweats and overheating
• Headaches and sinus problems
• Daytime exhaustion and poor concentration
• Sexual problems, decreased sex drive and even impotence
• Mental fatigue and bad judgment
• Hypertension and high blood pressure
• Frequent sadness and mood swings
• Depression and irritability
• Dry mouth or bad morning breath
• Kicking, twitching, punching during sleep
• Bloating and burping
• Heartburn and indigestion
• Reduced energy
• Hearing loss

The Typical Snorer

The characteristic profile of the habitual snorer is:

• Male, aged between 25-75 years, may/may not be overweight, suffering high blood pressure and anxiety or depression.

• Female, aged between 35-65, possibly overweight, hormonal imbalances, mood swings and reduced physical activity

• Child, aged between 3-9 years, may be hyperactive, night sweats, mood swings, with history of repetitious ear infections, swollen tonsils, forceps delivery and/or history of head injury or falls

Snoring affects your family

Snoring can reach such high noise levels that sleep deprivation also affects family members. Hearing loss is often shared by people living with snorers, along with insomnia, headaches, daytime tiredness, irritability and aggression. Add this to the irritability among snorers themselves and it's clear the family home would be a much happier place if snoring were properly treated.

Snoring affects your partner

For the bed partner, sleeping next to a snorer brings other problems that strain the relationship. Snorers often suffer night sweats, restlessness, frequent toilet stops, as well as unconscious slaps, kicks and punches.

Snoring affects your sex life

When it comes to sex, snoring is no laughing matter! Snoring is one of the greatest 'turn-offs' in any relationship, its many side-effects causing more break-ups and divorces than many other common issues. Because of sleep loss and chronic oxygen deprivation, it can also lower your sex drive and even cause impotence.

How loud is my snoring?

To assess your snoring, Inspiring Choices a four-point grading system. From your partner's point of view, your snoring can be graded as follows.

Grade	You may be:
Grade 1	heard only if you listen close to the face
Grade 2	affecting your partner / possible OSA
Grade 3	oxygen deprived / possible OSA
Grade 4	affecting your family / possible OSA

'WORST CASE SCENARIO

obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

Among those who snore, a staggering one in ten will also suffer the potentially deadly form known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)..