“The chronic snoring should be treated as a normal phenomenon, an object of derision or a frequent cause of marital discord. It is actually a chronic asphyxia, the more severe the noise is more intense, and the consequences of multiple physio – pathological seems so obvious that this symptom, however banal must now be considered a real disease. ”
Most people know that snoring is often related to breathing problems during sleep. These problems occur especially when the muscles of the throat, palate, uvula and tongue relax during sleep and vibrate loudly to the passage of air during inspiration. The airflow is even more limited when the uvula and soft palate are more relaxed and bulky. If the person also has a snoring problem of nasal congestion, air will be more difficult to pass in the airways, which will only intensify and thus the snoring noise to its surroundings.
On the social side, snoring is a nuisance that can destroy a couple, forcing the couple to “make room apart,” causing growing irritation of the surroundings and making travel and vacations often hellish.
But it is the impact of snoring on sleep as a whole, that is concerned; when sleep is less restful, even pathological, with sleep apnea.
EFFECT OF SNORING
The consequences are mainly that the surrounding environment is hampered by the intensity of snoring. It is rare that the snoring will disturb the snorer.
But snoring can be associated with respiratory pauses and thus be the signal of a disease called the “Sleep Apnea Syndrome.”
Apnea
Sleep apnea means you stop breathing during sleep for more than ten seconds. There are two types of apnea: obstructive apnea and central apnea.
1 – Obstructive sleep apnea
The sleep apnea syndrome is diagnosed by repeated episodes of respiratory arrest from interrupting and disturbing the spouse, who thinks that the snorer is choking or suffocating.
During an obstructive sleep apnea, the walls of the throat meet, resulting incomplete closure of the passage of air.
The oxygen in the inspired air can not then reach the lungs and pass into the blood.
The blood is less oxygenated, which can be severe if these episodes last over ten seconds and occur frequently. In these cases, the cumulative effect of these episodes of respiratory arrest leeds to poor oxygenation to the brain, forcing the snorer to stay in light sleep, to keep an air passage sufficient.
The snorer does not recouperate enough in his sleep, which then causes a tendency of sleepiness during the day, hence poor job performance.
2 – Central sleep apnea
Less common, this type of apnea occurs when the brain has an impaired function to control breathing.
The consequences
Apnea often insidious cause repeated impact on the entire organism.
Indeed, a lack of oxygen, which is to say the fall of blood oxygen levels, causes or contributes to the development of: high blood pressure, strokes, myocardial infarction or heart rhythm disorders,
Chronic fatigue induced by lack of sleep induces a depressive tendency, sexual problems with decreased libido.
The drowsiness and fatigue caused by sleep apnea causes memory loss and problems with lack of concentration.
Symptoms
Particularly drowsiness during the day, even while driving ocurrs from loud and irregular snorers. Also fatigue and morning headaches, irritability upon waking, memory loss, lack of concentration, frequent nocturnal awakenings, often to urinate. As well, obesity and high blood pressure.
WHAT TO DO?
Consult an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Specialist who will make the clinical diagnosis. The doctor will determine the site of the obstruction responsible for the apnea and will decide if a sleep study is required, either by a portable recording of sleep or in a sleep laboratory, where they will sleep throughout the night. These recording techniques are using sensors to study sleep patterns, namely: the nocturnal respiration, heart rate, the sound of snoring and oxygen levels in the blood. The data recorded will then determine the severity of the “sleep apnea” and the type of treatment to offer.
Treatment of snoring (with or without sleep apnea)
1 – We must correct the predisposing
Weight control
Do not drink alcohol at night
Minimizes the sleeping pills
Avoid smoking
2 – In the case of a problem of significant sleep apnea
The proposed treatment is constant positive airway pressure (CPAP). This is a small device that injects compressed air into the nose using a nasal maskworn at night. This prevents a collapse of the upper respiratory tract and significantly improves sleep quality. To be effective, the mask must be worn at all times throughout the night.
3- Pour les problèmes de ronflement sans apnée du sommeil significative
Le traitement vise à corriger le site anatomique responsable des bruits nocturnes (le palais et ou Concernant le ronflement isolé, il pourra répondre (en plus des règles hygiéno-diététiques habituelles) soit à un traitement par radiofréquence, soit à un traitement chirurgical conventionnel.
It will also focus on nasal ventilation, which may participate in the genesis of a snore.