Snoring is a symptom of a narrow or closed airway that can be caused by a number of things. An estimated 20 percent of the population snores. Some people snore only when they sleep on their backs. Others snore regardless of their sleeping position. Snoring can be more severe after drinking alcohol or taking sedatives.
If you are concerned about you or your loved one’s snoring, our guide below highlights some of the most common issues to look out for and what the possible remedies or treatments are.
What are the Symptoms?
Restless sleep
Awakening with choking, gasping, or smothering
Morning headaches, dry mouth, or sore throat
Waking frequently to urinate
Low energy, difficulty concentrating, memory impairment
Causes of Snoring
Men are more common only affected than women
Middle and older age
Being overweight or obese
Having a small mouth and throat
Snoring in children
Snoring in children
Snoring-related symptoms in children that may be caused by Obstructive Sleep Apnoea include:
Poor concentration or behavioural concerns at school
Hyper-activity and inattention
Loud or noisy breathing throughout the night
Snoring can sometimes be an underlying symptom of GORD or Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
The main symptoms of OSA are loud snoring, fatigue, & daytime sleepiness.
However, some people have no symptoms. For example, if the person does not have a bed partner, he or she may not be aware of the snoring. Fatigue and sleepiness have many causes and are often attributed to overwork and increasing age. As a result, a person may be slow to recognize that they have a problem. A bed partner or spouse often prompts the patient to seek medical care.
How can snoring be treated?
At our Centre, we always recommend a multi-disciplinary approach for the assessment and treatment of snoring related disorders. This can entail working with a sleep/respiratory physician, dentist, sleep psychologist, and/or dietician.
Lifestyle Changes:
Improve sleep hygiene
Try to have a regular sleep time, and obtain an adequate amount of sleep every night (this varies from person to person)
Minimize pre sleep activities such as TV, exercise
Adjust sleep position
Weight loss
Avoid alcohol and other sedatives