Snoring

Snoring is caused by the vibrating movement of the uvula and the soft palate that is located in the roof of the mouth. The uvula is the small mass of tissue that hangs down from the middle of the soft palate. When a person sleeps, the uvula and the soft palate relax and vibrating movements occur, causing the snoring sound. Approximately, 40 percent of men snore, and only 30 percent of women snore. Doctors are not sure why more men snore than women do.

Symptoms and Signs
Many times, snoring occurs in the presence of other signs and symptoms. These are indicators that there could be an underlying health condition that should be treated by a sleep specialist. Some symptoms and signs to look for include:
Frequent sore throats
Nasal drainage and congestion
Itchy, watery eyes and sneezing
Frequent fatigue and drowsiness
Nose Bleeds
Mouth breathing
Causes and Concerns
There are many causes of snoring, and most are treatable. One main cause of snoring is obstructive sleep apnea, which is a serious medical condition. What happens during the course of the night is the person will experience anywhere from 30 to 300 pauses lasting approximately 10 seconds. This means the person stops breathing for about 10 seconds several times a night. The pauses are caused by the airway collapse and narrowing. This makes the heart have to work harder because the pauses decrease the amount of oxygen in the blood. If the obstructive sleep apnea continues without treatment, it puts you at a higher risk for developing several health problems including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Other causes of snoring include:
Sinus infection
Allergies
Deviated septum
Thick throat tissue
Too much soft tissue in the neck
Tonsils and adenoids (primarily children)
Cysts
Tumors
Solutions and Options
There are many treatment options available for people who snore. CPAP is the most common treatment, and it is used by hundreds of people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP device involves a mask that is worn over the nose and mouth that is connected to a machine that delivers a positive amount of pressure. This is done to keep the airway open.
At Paks ENT hospital we offer Minimally Invasive Office Procedures that can address and often remedy some of the underlying causes of snoring. These include:
Balloon Sinuplasty
Septoplasty
Turbinate Reduction
Inspire Sleep Device
Snoring does not have to be an issue in your life. There are plenty of solutions and options to help you stop snoring. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms and signs associated with snoring, consider an evaluation with one of our competent nose and mouth specialists.

PAKS HOSPITAL

PAKS HOSPITAL

Snoring

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