Snoring can occur in people of all ages and genders, but its impact on daily life varies depending on severity and underlying causes. Regardless of the cause, snoring affects sleep quality, leading to daytime drowsiness, fatigue, decreased work efficiency, impaired concentration, and poor memory. Importantly, chronic snoring may signal obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is linked to cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and other health issues such as weight gain, diabetes, and weakened immune function. For those with partners or roommates, snoring can disturb others' sleep, causing irritability and stress, potentially affecting relationships. Consulting a doctor for diagnosis and treatment options for snoring should not be overlooked.
Currently, snoring treatment involves analyzing the underlying causes and providing targeted solutions for sustainable improvement, restoring a good quality of life to patients and preventing risks associated with sleep apnea and other complications. Deciding to see a doctor for diagnosis or even just for consultation will inform patients about their diagnostic and treatment options that meet their needs. This not only ensures value but also safety, reducing risks associated with incorrect treatments based on hearsay or the use of unstandardized tools not supervised by qualified medical professionals, which could harm health and lead to additional treatment costs.
Why Do Overweight People Snore More Than Slim People? Why Do Men Snore More Than Women?
Several factors contribute to why overweight individuals snore more than those of normal weight:
1. Excess fat around the neck can increase the likelihood of airway obstruction, leading to snoring as the uvula and soft palate vibrate more.
2. Individuals with higher body weight are more prone to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), experiencing periodic breathing interruptions, with snoring being a common symptom.
Factors explaining why men snore more than women include:
1. Hormonal differences; testosterone affects muscle tone and airway size in the throat. Men typically have larger airways and more relaxed throat muscles, while women have estrogen and progesterone that help maintain muscle tone. However, hormone levels drop post-menopause, increasing the likelihood of snoring and OSA.
2. Men naturally accumulate more fat in the upper body and around the neck, increasing the risk and severity of snoring.
How Does Snoring Negatively Affect Long-Term Health?
Chronic snoring can have several long-term health consequences, especially when linked to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including:
• Repeated breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation during sleep can adversely affect cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of heart disease, hypertension, and stroke, as well as metabolic issues leading to obesity and diabetes.
• Snoring disrupts sleep cycles, leading to daytime sleepiness, fatigue, decreased concentration, and an increased risk of accidents, particularly when driving or operating machinery, as well as negatively affecting mental health, potentially leading to depression and anxiety.
The disruptive nature of snoring can cause stress and affect relationships, with statistics showing that snoring is a reason some couples choose to sleep apart, which can be a factor in divorce.
Diagnosing Snoring Disorders
Since snoring can result from various causes, physicians consider severity, accompanying symptoms, risk factors, and patient readiness for testing when determining diagnostic methods. The following methods may be used:
1. Medical history assessment, including questionnaires like the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to evaluate sleep patterns, snoring, daytime drowsiness, breathing interruptions, and snoring’s impact on quality of life.
2. Physical examination to check for abnormalities like enlarged tonsils or a deviated septum; flexible nasolaryngoscopy may be used to explore obstruction issues.
3. Polysomnography (PSG) to monitor breathing, brain activity, eye movement, heart rate, airflow, and blood oxygen levels, the standard method for diagnosing OSA and sleep disorders.
4. Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT) using portable devices to track airflow, breathing patterns, and blood oxygen levels, more convenient but potentially less detailed than hospital sleep studies.
5. Use of wearable devices to monitor blood oxygen levels overnight to preliminarily screen for sleep apnea.
Current Treatment Methods for Snoring
Treatment options for snoring include behavioral adjustments, lifestyle changes, surgery, or medical devices to aid in airway patency. The choice of treatment depends on the underlying cause, severity, and other related conditions, such as OSA.
Examples of Surgical Treatments for Snoring:
1. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) to remove excess tissue from the throat to widen the airway, suitable for moderate to severe OSA cases, requiring general anesthesia.
2. Minimally Invasive Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty to tighten the oral cavity and soft palate for those with loud snoring only.
3. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) to reduce the tissue causing snoring or airway obstruction, suitable for mild to moderate snoring and OSA, typically using local anesthesia.
4. Septoplasty to correct nasal obstructions from a deviated septum, improving airflow.
5. Barbed Reposition Pharyngoplasty to tighten the soft palate using sutures, suitable for those with soft palate-related snoring.
6. Tonsillectomy for cases where snoring is due to enlarged tonsils obstructing the airway.
In addition, multi-level upper airway surgery may be considered based on preoperative drug-induced sleep endoscopy evaluations.
How to Improve Snoring Symptoms?
Whether already treated or not, the following health care and behavioral adjustments can help reduce snoring:
1. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce airway pressure from excess neck fat.
2. Avoid heavy or fatty meals before bedtime; refrain from eating at least 2-3 hours before sleep.
3. Quit smoking, as it irritates throat tissues, worsening snoring.
4. Change sleep position from back to side to prevent the tongue and soft tissues from obstructing the airway.
5. Improve sleeping environment, ensuring comfortable bedding and a cool, dark room.
6. Stay hydrated to keep throat tissues moist.
7. Avoid alcohol 2-3 hours before bed, as it relaxes throat muscles and may worsen snoring.
8. Regular exercise or targeted muscle training can strengthen throat muscles.
If snoring persists despite these measures or if daytime drowsiness or breathing difficulties during sleep occur, consulting a physician for diagnosis and appropriate treatment options is advised.