Check if snoring is life-threatening.

In total , approximately 10 million Polish men and women snore ¹ . Men snore more often (40%), although the problem also affects women (20%). Here, pregnancy and menopause are factors that increase the risk. These numbers increase with age, says Prof. Ewa Olszewska, from the Otolaryngology Clinic of the Medical University of Bialystok, author of the first book in Poland about snoring ² . Although the problem affects such a large group of people, most people do not try to cure snoring. Only 6% of snorers checked whether they suffered from sleep apnea. This is a very serious sleep disorder that, if left untreated, can even lead to death. Research also shows that almost all Poles have experienced snoring at some point. And every third person struggles with this problem every night ³ .

Why do we snore?

Snoring is not pleasant and can effectively disturb your night's rest. The intensity of this sound reaches up to 90 decibels (equivalent to intense road traffic). Moreover, it may signal serious health problems. As many as 1.5 million Poles suffer from sleep apnea . This group has a higher risk of stroke and heart attack .

What is the mechanism of snoring ? When we sleep, the throat becomes narrowed. The throat descends and touches the base of the tongue, leaving a rather narrow gap for breathing. Air that enters the upper respiratory tract causes the tongue and throat to vibrate. Then, due to the low air flow, a snoring sound occurs. The reasons for snoring include those related to our physiology and lifestyle . The first include: a deviated nasal septum, the presence of polyps in the nose, hypertrophy of the tonsils or the base of the tongue and uvula, irregularities in the structure of the palate, allergies or decreased muscle tone of the tongue and throat. ⁴ . Snoring is also more common in people who are overweight and obese, smoke cigarettes, consume alcohol or take sedatives. It often appears together with an infection or after intense physical exercise.

Home remedies for snoring.

The most effective remedy for snoring – unless it is related to sleep apnea – is lifestyle change . You should give up cigarettes and alcohol , especially before going to bed. It is worth eating healthy to avoid the risk of obesity or overweight and pay attention to the position in which we sleep. It's best to sleep on your side .

People who have struggled with snoring recommend sewing elements (e.g. buttons) to their pajamas that will cause discomfort when lying on the back. If the symptoms are not very severe, essential oils will be helpful. The best ones are lavender, evening primrose and chamomile. Scientists also took a closer look at other natural methods. It turns out that acupuncture can reduce snoring ⁵ .

Investigate snoring.

While natural home remedies may work, if the snoring is not very severe, it is best to see a doctor who will find the cause of the intense snoring and make a diagnosis. A polysomnographic examination is often ordered . The doctor monitors the patient's sleep, checks the number of pauses in breathing, and records sleep parameters - air flow, abdominal and chest movements, oxygen concentration and heart rate. You can also perform an EEG, EOG to check eye movements, and EMG to assess muscle tension during sleep.

When snoring is life-threatening.

Approx. 10% of people who snore may have a life-threatening disease - obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). According to the definition of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, apnea is a disease with frequent, cyclical stopping or limitation of air flow through the respiratory tract. Breathing pauses that are repeated frequently and last 10 seconds or longer cause hypoxia in the body. This means that after waking up, patients feel sleepy, broken, and may suffer from headaches. The quality of sleep is poor, and rest is accompanied by a feeling of choking. When the patient wakes up, he or she may be confused and frightened.

Sleep with apnea is restless and shallow. Due to hypoxia, the body's blood pressure increases and the heart rate increases . It is estimated that untreated apnea, if it lasts 10 years, increases the risk of death by approximately 40-50% . Apnea increases the risk of heart attack, heart rhythm disturbances and heart failure. The risk of stroke is also increasing. Arterial hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as depression, problems with memory and concentration, headaches, weight gain, impotence, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome may appear or worsen. ⁶ .

A way to deal with apnea.

If the cause of apnea is an anatomical problem, surgery can be performed - although not in all patients . However, there are other causes of apnea. A miracle cure, unfortunately, does not exist. Patients are often advised to change their position, lose weight, and give up alcohol or sedatives. Special masks are popular , such as the CPAP ( Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ) device, which is reimbursed by the National Health Fund, and which forces air into the lungs using a mask that fits snugly to the face. Sometimes dental preparation is helpful , as it causes the jaw to move forward. This, in turn, helps move the tongue away from the back of the throat.

Bibliography:

1. Gierat C., “Snoring is the most common sleep disorder”, warny.online, March 18, 2019.
2. Więcko W., “Snoring is our everyday life”, Medical University of Białystok, umb.edu.pl, December 11, 2019.
3. “Almost 35% of Poles have interruptions in breathing during sleep”, infoscan.pl, May 30, 2017.
4. “Russamento: quali sono le cause?”, vitalaire.it, accessed January 11, 2022.
5. Freire AO, Sugai GC, Togeiro SM, Mello LE, Tufik S., “Immediate effect of acupuncture on the sleep pattern of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.” Acupunct Med. 2010
6. Caples SM, “McDowel WA, Calero K. et al., “Use of polysomnography and home sleep apnea tests for the longitudinal management of obstructive sleep apnea in adults: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical guidance statement,” Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, June 1, 2021
7. “Informazioni sul Russare”, Instituto Italiano di Roncologia, roncologia.it, accessed January 11, 2022.
8. Freire AO, Sugai GC, Chrispin FS et al., “Treatment of moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with acupuncture: a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial.” Sleep Med. 2007