SNORING

The snoring sound is caused by a vibration in the throat as air passes in and out or the narrow airway passage a result of the muscles of the airway relaxing. When snoring is particularly loud, it can sometimes be associated with other sleep related breathing difficulties, such as sleep apnoea.

Common causes of snoring:

• Allergies
• Anatomy of your mouth
• Being overweight – People who are overweight may have extra tissues in the back of their throat that narrow their airways.
• Alcohol Consumption
• Nasal congestion
• Some medications
• Sleep positions
• Sleep deprivation
• Swollen adenoids or tonsils, especially in children
• Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

WHAT IS OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA?

Sleep Apnoea is a chronic medical condition that can affect your sleep, health and quality of life. In this serious condition, your throat tissues partially or completely block your airway, preventing you from breathing.

OSA often is characterized by loud snoring followed by periods of silence when breathing stops or nearly stops. Eventually, thispause in breathing may signal you to wake up, and you may awaken with a loud snort or gasping sound.

WHAT CAUSES SLEEP APNOEA?

During sleep, muscles relax, including those that control the tongue and throat. The soft tissue at the back of throat can sag, narrowing and constricting the airway.

If you or your partner have Sleep Apnoea or display symptoms such as snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, pauses in breathing or teeth grinding while sleeping, treatment is essential.