Snoring (cont.)
How do medications and alcohol affect snoring?
The root cause of snoring is vibration of the tissues while breathing. Some
medications as well as alcohol can lead to enhanced relaxation of muscles during
sleep. As the muscles of the palate, tongue, neck, and pharynx relax more, the
airway collapses more. This leads to a smaller airway and greater tissue
vibration. Some medications encourage a deeper level of sleep, which also can
worsen snoring.
Why is snoring a problem?
Snoring sometimes can be the only sign of a more serious problem. People who
snore should be evaluated to be certain that other problems such as
sleep apnea,
other sleeping problems, or other sleep related breathing problems.
If the snorer sleeps and breathes normally, then snoring is only a problem
for the snorer's bed partner or family members. In fact, snoring often disrupts
the sleep of family members and partners more than it affects the snorer.
Frequently, partners of snorers report leaving the bedroom (or making the snorer
leave the bedroom) many nights per week. Snoring may not be a medical problem,
but it can become a significant social problem for the snorer and sleep problem
for the bed partner.
What is the clinical importance of snoring?
It is important to recognize determine if snoring is related to an underlying
medical condition or is an isolated (primary) problem (not associated with any
underlying disease).
More specifically, primary snoring is not associated with
obstructive sleep
apnea, upper airway resistance, insomnia, or other sleep disorders. This
distinction is important because of the associated link between the underlying
conditions and other adverse health effects.
For example, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with higher risks of
cardiovascular disease such as
heart attacks and
strokes. This association is
thought to exist because of higher prevalence of high blood pressure
(hypertension) in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea. On the other hand,
studies have shown that people with primary snoring did not have higher rates of
elevated blood pressure compared to the general public.
Next: What are different levels of snoring? »
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