Snoring Solutions

There is nothing funny about snoring.

Almost half of adults snore. And the problem is worse with overweight persons.

There are a number of reasons why you snore, but it is basically a partial obstruction of the flow of air to your lungs. The snoring sound occurs when your soft palate vibrates as the air struggles to get by and to the lungs where it is needed. Drinking alcohol can make the problem worse as can being overweight. But why worry, it’s nothing serious, right?

WRONG!!!

Snoring can be a serious problem socially and medically. As many as 50% of couples sleep in separate rooms to overcome the problem and get a good nights rest.

Snoring is a precursor of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which has been linked to a number of serious medical problems such as high blood pressure, stroke and heart failure. This type of snoring is typically interrupted by a quiet period, and as your oxygen levels drop to dangerous levels forces you awake with a loud gasp of air

Snoring is often graded from your bed partner’s point of view:

Grade 1: Heard only if you listen close to the face
Grade 2: Heard in the bedroom
Grade 3: Heard just outside the bedroom with the door open
Grade 4: Heard outside the bedroom with the door closed

Symptoms of sleep apnea…

It is usually the partner of the sufferer who knows there is a problem first, after all, the person who suffers from the problem is asleep! The things your partner may say, or some of the symptoms you may feel include:

Loud snoring followed by cessation of breathing
Gasping and choking during sleep
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Drowsy driving
Awakening not rested in the morning
A sour taste in the mouth in the morning
Morning headaches
Weight gain
Limited attention
Memory loss
Poor judgment
Personality change

One of the treatment options is CPAP, which is a mask type delivery of oxygen to help the problem. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has suggested that dental appliances can be used as the first line of treatment mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

If you or a loved one would like to know more or arrange a free consultation with our treatment coordinator, call us now on 01302 325678