Is snoring harmless?

Snoring occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing the tissues to vibrate as you breathe, which in turn, becomes the characteristic sound of snoring. Snoring is also the hoarse or harsh sound that occurs when your breathing is obstructed in some way while you're sleeping. While snoring can be simply benign, chronic loud snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person's breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. Excessive daytime sleepiness, poor memory and concentration, morning headaches and chronic snoring can be signs that you need help. Ask your physician for a sleep test.

There are several potential solutions for snoring, depending on the underlying cause. Some common solutions include:

• Losing weight, if obesity is a contributing factor

• Avoiding alcohol and sleeping on your side, as both can make snoring worse

• Treating allergies or other respiratory issues

• Using nasal strips or a nasal dilator to keep the nostrils open

• Trying a mouthguard or oral appliance, which can help keep the airway open

In some cases, more advanced treatment may be necessary, such as surgery or the use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. It's important to talk to your doctor if you are concerned about your snoring, as they can help determine the cause and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

#sleepefficiency #snoring #healthylifestyle #health #sleep #fitness #fitnessmotivation #fit #physician #apnea #nurse #gym #cpap #rpsgt #olympics #ottawa #kanata #canada #613

Sources:

The National Sleep Foundation:  https://www.thensf.org/ 
Sleep Foundation:  https://www.sleepfoundation.org/ 
American Academy of Sleep Medicine: https://aasm.org/