“Snoring” – Is Sign of Cardiac Diseases?

  

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.