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SICK PARADE - Keep the noizzze down!
By Flt-Lt Kay Hatton
Volume 50, No. 10, June 14, 2007 |
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ROLL OVER: Snoring – simple annoyance or major health hazard?
Photo: Brian Hartigan |
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For those who repeatedly snore, maybe the polite requests to stop have been replaced by an elbow in the ribs. However, for many, the annoyance of snoring may be more than a simple inconvenience – for some, it can be an indicator of a more serious health risk that should not be overlooked.
What is snoring?
Snoring is the noise caused by vibration of the soft structures in the back of the throat as a person takes a breath in. During sleep, the muscles of the soft palate and back of the throat relax, causing the airway to narrow. As air moves over these relaxed structures they tend to vibrate, causing the characteristic noise. The incidence of snoring increases with a cold, sinusitis or other form of nasal congestion.
Men are more likely to snore than women, a recent study indicating that 34 per cent of men are habitual snorers, with up to 50 per cent reporting snoring at some time. The habitual snorer usually;
- is male;
- is between 30 to 65 years old;
- is overweight;
- has high blood pressure; and
- is a drinker.
Sleep apnoea
In a per centage of cases, snoring is caused by obstructive sleep apnoea.
Habitual snoring is a strong indicator for sleep apnoea, a serious medical condition that becomes more prevalent as a person ages and gains weight.
The muscles in the throat collapse during sleep and, with the excess weight around the tongue and neck, the airway becomes obstructed, and breathing stops. These pauses in breathing can last for 10 seconds or more.
The person will then wake themselves up in an effort to restart breathing.
Obstructive sleep apnoea affects twice as many men as women, and doctors believe that about 9 per cent of men over 40 suffer from the condition.
Most sufferers are blissfully unaware that they are affected, and it is often their partner who will alert them to the
problem.
Although the person with obstructive sleep apnoea does not realise it, they are waking up frequently during the night and not getting quality sleep.
As a result, they are in a constant state of fatigue and suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness.
This can lead to a higher risk of motor-vehicle and workplace accidents.
How to manage snoring or sleep apnoea
Some simple remedies can sometimes eliminate or reduce the severity of snoring. Here is a list of things you can do to help yourself;
- lose weight;
- cut back on alcohol intake, especially in the hours before bedtime;
- avoid sleeping tablets;
- sleep on your side instead of on your back;
- treat nasal congestion; and
- try using a flat pillow.
In the case of obstructive sleep apnoea, treatment may also include wearing a customised mouth guard or a mask over the nose at night.
What should you do?
Snoring is a significant problem for many people, but often goes undiagnosed as people are not aware of the health implications if not treated, particularly in the case of sleep apnoea.
Anyone who thinks they may have sleep apnoea, or whose partner thinks they have symptoms, should see a doctor to have the problem properly diagnosed.
Your doctor may refer you to a sleep disorder clinic for further testing if they feel it is necessary. |
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