Brushing Up Blog

Snoring Isn’t Innocent

sleeping-coupleLaugh and the whole world laughs with you. Snore and you sleep alone.

All jokes aside, snoring can be very frustrating. Although older men are more likely to snore, all ages and genders are affected. But what causes snoring? Snoring occurs when the muscles of the throat relax while sleeping, the tongue falls backwards, and the walls of the throat vibrate creating the snoring sound. The greater the vibration gets, the louder the snoring. Snoring can be nightly or just occasional.

Several factors can be a cause of snoring. Alcohol, when consumed in the evening, can relax the muscles causing snoring. Sleep medications/ muscle relaxers can be a causative factor in snoring. Back sleepers have a higher tendency to snore. Sinus & allergies, enlarged tonsils & adenoids, and a deviated septum can all be causative factors of snoring as well. Avoiding alcohol, maintaining weight, and side sleeping can eliminate mild cases of snoring.

Snoring isn’t always innocent though. Snoring can lead to poor sleep and daytime sleepiness decreasing productivity. When the tongue falls far enough back and breathing becomes impeded, there is a higher risk of heart disease. Obstructive Sleep Apnea requires medical diagnosis and intervention with treatments such as weight loss, mouth appliances, or CPAP machines.

Don’t take snoring lightly. Not only can it affect your health, but it also affects those around you by creating unhealthy sleeping patterns. Talk to your doctor or dentist today. The Lima Oral Sleep Center is here to help at 419-224-7667.

Until next time,

Keep smiling, sharing, and caring!

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