Snoring is the
noisy breathing while a sleep due to vibration of the soft palate, uvula,
pharyngeal walls, or epiglottis. In children it is often associated with
enlargement of the tonsils and adenoids.
CAUSES OF
SNORING:
Causes of
Snoring
- Mouth anatomy
- Overweight
- Alcohol consumption(Relaxants such as alcohol or drugs relaxing
throat muscles)
- Nasal problems
- Deviated nasal septum
- Sleep apnea
- Narrowing of the area at the back of the throat(Throat
weakness, causing the throat to close during sleep)
- Fat gathering in and around the throat
- Sleeping on the back (Sleeping on one's back, which may result
in the tongue dropping to the back of the mouth.)
- Excessive smoking
- Asthma
- Cold or flu
- Receding lower jaw (Mispositioned jaw, often caused by tension
in the muscles)
- Blocked nose (Obstruction in the nasal passageway)
- Having a large uvula or enlarged tonsils
- Having low levels of thyroid hormone
- Menopause
- Inflammation and irritation to the nostrils and throat
- Allergies
Snoring a problem?
Snoring
sometimes can be the only sign of a more serious problem. People who snore
should be evaluated to be certain that other problems such as sleep
apnea, other sleeping deprivation to
snorers and those around them, as well as daytime drowsiness,
irritability, lack of focus and
decreased libido. It has also
been suggested that it can cause significant psychological and social damage to
sufferers. Multiple studies reveal a
positive correlation between loud snoring and risk of heart attack (about +34%
chance) and stroke (about +67% chance).
New studies associate loud
"snoring" with the development of carotid artery atherosclerosis, the
risk of brain damage and of stroke.
Diagnosis:
Snoring...
Usually,
snoring is recognized by a friend or partner who observes the patient sleeping.
Besides the "noise" of snoring, more complex conditions such as sleep apnea can be
consistent with the symptom of snoring. A sleep
study can identify such issues. Patients can also assess their own
condition to determine the likelihood of such problems based on the severity of
their sleeping difficulties.
MANAGEMENT:
Home Remedy
for Snoring
- One of the best ways to stop snoring would be to lose weight.
This might surprise you, but weight loss reduces and even ends snoring.
- Another way to stop snoring would be to lessen, better stop,
smoking. It is said that smoking causes increased nasal congestion and
mucous in the throat area.
- Alcohol causes relaxation in the soft tissues and muscles in
the throat, leading to snoring. Reducing the intake of alcohol can lessen,
or even stop, snoring.
- The ideal posture while sleeping would be on the sides. This
would reduce the intensity of sound created while snoring.
- Olive oil is said to reduce snoring. Take 2 to 3 sips of it
before going to bed. This would lessen the noise and also stop snoring
after some time.
- Follow a regular sleep routine. Sleep at fixed times and get up
at the same time. This is believed to reduce snoring.
- In boiling water, place a bunch of sage and let it steep. Allow
it to cool. Before going to bed, strain this mixture and gargle with the
liquid. This will prove effective in reducing snoring.
- Avoid having heavy meals or foods that are too spicy or oily,
in dinner. They tend to aggravate the problem of snoring.
1, Sleep on your side
The theory is that when we lay
on our backs the tongue and muscles in the throat collapse, constricting the
airway and causing snoring.
2. Higher pillows
This aims to keep the airways
open by supporting the neck so the throat is less constricted. It works fairly
well until you fall asleep and slump down in the bed.
3. Breathe Right Nasal Strips
These are supposed to open your
nostrils from the outside and they certainly do seem to do this. They can also
provide temporary relief from nasal congestion and stuffiness caused by colds
and allergies.
Almost all treatments for
snoring revolve around clearing the blockage in the breathing passage. This is
the reason snorers are advised to lose weight
(to stop fat from pressing on the throat), stop smoking (smoking weakens and
clogs the throat) and sleep on their side (to prevent the tongue from blocking
the throat). A number of other treatment options are also available, ranging
from over-the-counter aids such as nasal sprays, nasal strips or nose clips,
lubricating sprays, and "anti-snore" clothing and pillows, to such
unusual activities as playing the didgeridoo. However, snoring
is a recognized medical problem and people who snore should always seek
professional medical advice before relying on techniques that may mask symptoms
(i.e. snoring) but not treat the underlying condition.
Natural
remedies:
There are various natural
methods alleged to alleviate snoring. These can be in the form of herbal pills,
acupressure devices or specialized acupuncture.
Change of bed position – There
are occasions wherein snoring is the result of wrong sleeping position.
Sometimes, sleeping with too many pillows can stretch and narrow the air
passage. Use one pillow to avoid it. Also, lying on the back can cause snoring.
So, a change in sleeping position can be a good help.
All natural anti snoring sprays
are also available. These can come in over-the-counter products available at
pharmacies.
Also amongst the 'natural'
remedies are exercises to increase the muscle tone of the upper airway, with
some evidence indicating this, and one medical practitioner noting anecdotally
that professional singers seldom snore,
although sufficient study of this area remains to be undertaken.
Homoeopathic Management:
The
following are the most indicated remedies in Snoring:
Arsenicum
album:
Effective in giving relief from wheezing;
suffocation during sleep and Nose blockage.
Belladonna:
Helpful in cases of inflammatory swelling
and redness of the external and internal nose; sleep disorders; enlarged
tonsils and constricted throat.
Bryonia
alba:
Excellent remedy for swelling of the nose
with obstruction; tough mucus in larynx & trachea, sleepiness during day.
Camphora
officinarum:
Prevents snoring; constriction in larynx;
nose stoppage.
Cistus
Canadensis:
Treats swollen throat glands and
suppuration.
Drosera
rotundifolia:
Used in cases of constant dryness of nose
and snoring during sleep.
Echinacea
angusifolia:
Remedy for stuffiness of nostrils with
mucus in nares (sinuses) and pharynx; mucous comes in throat while in bed, must
cough to clear throat.
Ephendra
vulgaris:
Vital remedy for nasal congestions.
Hepar
sulphuris:
Remedy for inflammation, redness, swelling
of nose; rattling breathing during sleep.
Histaminum
hydrochloricum:
Feeling of pressure, of constriction in
throat; nose blocked on one or both sides.
Hydrastis
Canadensis:
Key remedy for thick mucous from posterior
sinuses; restless sleep and difficulty in breathing.
Ignatia
amara:
Remedy for loud snoring, respirations;
choking, spasms of glottis; throat disorders.
Teucrium
marum verum:
In cases of nasal mucous polyps; dull and
lazy sleep; obstruction of nose.
Rubrics in Murphy’s Repertory:
Breathing - SNORING
acon. aeth. amyg. Ant-t. arn. ars. bapt. bell. benz-ac. Brom. calc. Camph. Carl. Cham. Chin. Cic. con. cund. Cupr. cycl. dros. dulc. fl-ac. glon. Hep. hydr-ac. hyos. Ign. kali-bi. kali-chl. LAC-C. Lach. Laur. lyc. mag-m. mez. mur-ac. nat-m. nit-ac. nux-m. Nux-v. OP. petr. rat. rheum Rhus-t. sabad. samb. sep. sil. stann. Stram. stry. Sulph. teucr.
Children - SNORING, children, in
chin. mez. op.
Constitutions - CHILDREN,
constitutions - snoring
Mez.
Nose - MOTION, of wings,
fan-like - snoring, with
diph.
Sleep - SNORING, respiration
acon. aeth. amyg. Ant-t. arn. ars. bapt. bell. benz-ac. Brom. calc. Camph. Carl. Cham. Chin. Cic. con. cund. Cupr. cycl. dros. dulc. fl-ac. glon. Hep. hydr-ac. hyos. Ign. kali-bi. kali-chl. LAC-C. Lach. Laur. lyc. mag-m. mez. mur-ac. nat-m. nit-ac. nux-m. Nux-v. OP. petr. rat. rheum Rhus-t. sabad. samb. sep. sil. stann. Stram. stry. Sulph. teucr.
Sleep - COMATOSE, sleep -
snoring, with
bell. carb-v. laur. Op. rhus-t. Stram.
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