Is snoring a serious disease?
Many women complain that their
men snore a lot on some night and distract their sleep. What
could be the cause?
“Snoring not only disturbs sleeps for those
around, but also affects the quality of sleep of the individuals
who snores”. Says Dr. J.Makaya of Mwanza Hospital in Tanzania.
The author of this article interviewed the doctor following a
social discussion on how to cope with snoring partners raised by
some women in a hairdressing saloon.
According to Dr Makaya, snoring is caused by relative reduction in the size of the upper
air passage especially around the throat. This reduction in the
size of airways results in obstruction to airflow which are
associated with brief periods where breathing stops (apnea).
These periods of cessation of breathing are followed by period
of partial awakening hence the disturbance in quality of sleep.
To an observer, the above may be noted as period of change in
the rhythm of breathing (snoring), tossing and turning. The
person snoring may be blissfully un aware of all what is
happening only to wake up the next morning feeling tired and not
and not well rested.
“ In the more sever forms there may be
increased day-time sleeping ness and change in mood and
personality,” stresses Dr Makaya. The period of apnea (they
could be as many as 400 per night) is associated with increases
in the level of carbon dioxide in the body. The body reacts to
increased level of carbon dioxide by increasing the heart rate
and by narrowing of the blood vessels. This reaction strains the
heart as it not only has beat faster, but also has to use
greater force to propel blood through the narrowed vessels. This
strain may lead to hypertension and enlargement of heart
(hypertrophy) thereby making the individual susceptible to a
host of heart conditions.
Snoring occurs during sleep because
there is relaxation of muscles of the upper airways allowing for
partial collapse to occur. It occurs more commonly among those
who use alcohol as this acts as a depressant to the muscles and
also depresses the protective reflex responses to cessation of
breathing, so prolonging the apneic attacks.
Obesity is another factor associated with snoring, as there is an increase in fat
deposition around the upper airways leading to their narrowing.
In children, blocked nose, enlarged tonsils And upper
respiratory tract inflammations are important causes of snoring.
In solving snoring cases, Dr. Makaya says that,” You should
reduce the amount of alcohol if you are a drinker, reduce your
weight if you are over weight and get respiratory tract
inflammation treated.
This should be done in addition to simple
measures such as change in the position in which you sleep,
because sleeping facing up leads to the airway blockage. It is
advisable to sleep on the side or facing down in the recovery
position. If the problem persist the then consult an E.N.T
specialist.
About the author:
FREELANCE JOURNALIST, DISTRICT POLITICAL PARTY SECRETARY AND
AFRICAN CULTURAL ADVOCATE
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