Snoring is something we witness at multiple stages in our life, whether it is listening to granddad fast asleep next to the fire or whether it is us after a heavy night of drinking.
There are a lot of things people don’t know about snoring, which is why we have created this blog. Ten facts about snoring are below:
1. A lot of people snore
Snoring is very common, about 40% of us snore in our sleep.
2. Obstruction causes snoring
Snoring occurs when we inhale air in our sleep but an obstruction causes the soft palate at the roof of the mouth to vibrate.
3. Our choices can lead to snoring
There can be many reasons why we might snore including Taking sleeping pills, drinking alcohol, being overweight, and sleeping on our backs.
4. Snoring can mean there is a serious problem
Snoring can be a sign of a medical condition called obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). This condition means you stop breathing in your sleep for periods between a few seconds to a couple of minutes. The resulting lack of oxygen in the blood can lead to headaches and fatigue on waking. It can also lead to more serious chronic medical conditions.
5. Tonsils can cause snoring
Children might snore because their tonsils are enlarged.
6. Allergies can trigger snoring
If you have allergies they can trigger snoring so work out if there is anything in the bedroom that could affect you, it might be wise to make sure pets are not in the room, for instance.
7. There are various treatments available
For less serious snoring issues the solution can be as simple as sleeping on your side or not taking an alcoholic drink three hours before bedtime. For serious snoring problems, there are non-surgical and surgical options to help prevent snoring – but surgery is seen as the last resort. A treatment for OSA that has proven effective is called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
8. There is a scale for measuring snoring
Healthcare professionals have a system for grading your snoring. The louder the snore, the higher the grade.
9. Snoring can be incredibly loud
Very loud snoring can reach up to 69 decibels – close to a pneumatic drill at 70-90 decibels.
10. Snoring can affect relationships
If one person in a relationship snores this can have negative effects on the relationship. Studies indicate that 25% – 40% of couples are regularly sleeping in separate rooms. Also, people who share a bed with snorers see their GP more frequently than bed partners of non-snorers.
Snoring is a serious matter and, although annoying, it does need to be addressed. So, if you have any snorers in your household or want to learn any more information, please visit: http://www.eu-pap.co.uk/cpap-help-and-advice.html