Stop snoring!

Stop Snoring - snoring can be a problem anywhere from just being annoying to being a health issue!

In a normal breathing pattern the air will go thru the throat in to the lungs traveling past the soft palate, uvula, tonsils and tongue. If the person is awake the muscles in the back of the throat tighten and support these structures preventing them from collapsing in to the airways. During sleep, these structures are not supported and by falling into the airways can cause snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Loud snoring and disturbed or interrupted sleep are the main characteristics of sleep apnea. These can have more serious consequences like cardiac problems. Also headaches are frequent in the morning. People suffering from sleep apnea can become sleep deprived, felling sleepy all day can make them fall asleep even in their car.

To be diagnosed with sleep apnea you have to undergo a sleep study. The patterns of breathing, heart rhythm and brain waves are monitored.

If the patient is diagnosed with sleep apnea the first measure most doctors are recommending is using a CPAP. The CPAP is a device that will help keep the airways open during sleep. In some more serious situations operation is recommended. Some of the procedures used to circumvent the sleeping related disorders include: uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with or without tonsillectomy and in rare cases tracheotomy.