Do you toss and turn in bed at night because your spouse is snoring? Or are you receiving complaints in the morning that you are the reason for someone else’s sleepless night? Whatever the case may be, snoring is an irritating disturbance to a restful night’s sleep and perhaps an indication of a much more serious issue like Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
It is important to note that just because you snore, you do not necessarily have OSA. However, OSA should not be treated lightly because those who suffer from this condition may stop breathing in their sleep due to a restricted airway. Our team of medical professionals at Amandela ENT Head and Neck Centre strongly recommend that you visit a snoring doctor in Singapore if you snore so that they are able to diagnose the cause of your snoring correctly.
Snoring occurs when air is unable to move freely through your trachea when you sleep. When the airway is constricted or blocked, this causes the tissues to move and vibrate due to the airflow causing that all too familiar noise known as a snore. There are several reasons why people tend to snore according to snoring doctors in Singapore.
1. Blocked Airways
Do you recall the last time you suffered from a sinus infection or when pesky allergies affected your ability to breathe easy? You might not be able to recall it now, but there is a very high likelihood that you snored quite a bit during such periods. A stuffy nose can prevent air from flowing freely in the trachea causing snoring. Individuals with persistent nasal obstruction are more likely to snore often.
Some ways to eliminate snoring that arises from nasal congestion is through taking prescribed medications to treat the infection or allergies. Nasal decongestant sprays are also useful in lessening the nasal congestion, allowing for air to flow freely in the airway thereby reducing snoring.
2. Obesity
Another common reason for snoring is weight. Simply put, when there is more fat around your neck, it can press against your upper airway when you sleep. When neck fat compresses the upper airway, it makes it incredibly difficult for air to flow smoothly through the airway and makes snoring more likely. Interestingly, people who snore tend to have a hard time sleeping at night leading to poor sleep quality. This makes them groggy and restless during the day causing them to snack more thereby leading to greater weight gain.
One way most snoring doctors in Singapore recommend to resolve this cause of snoring is to lose weight. When the individual loses weight, it drastically reduces snoring and improves overall sleep quality. A healthy diet is also recommended for people who snore due to obesity. When the patient pays close attention to the food he or she eats, they are able to control their weight and be more conscious of how their eating habits affect their snoring patterns.
For example, eating too close to bedtime can lead to painful indigestion. When acid from the indigestion travels because of the body’s supine position, it can cause the gullet to become inflamed and swollen. This can cause the trachea to become constricted making it difficult for air to flow, thus leading to snoring.
3. Gender-Related Reasons
Did you know that according to a study conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 40% of men are snorers compared to 24% of their female counterparts. It’s a fact that men snore more than women (sorry guys!) but what are some of the reasons that predispose a certain sex towards snoring?
One obvious reason is due to biology. It’s no secret that men and women are anatomically different. Since men have a unique type of muscle structure in their throat and neck, it can amplify the sound of the snore. In fact, men have a larger-sized airway and a bigger hard palate in the mouth which facilitates loud snores.
Another reason is due to the hormones unique to women. Two types of female hormones which include oestrogen and progesterone help the females to reduce snoring. Progesterone, for example, is key in preventing abnormal breathing during sleep. In fact, recent research has shown that women who go through menopause and experience lower levels of these vital hormones tend to have symptoms of OSA.
4. Alcohol Consumption
Another reason for snoring is alcohol consumption. When a person ingests alcohol it causes the throat muscles to become lax. This can lead to constricted air flow. When air travels through the narrow airways, it moves against these loosened and relaxed throat muscles which creates the snoring sound. Snoring doctors in Singapore usually recommend that individuals do not drink alcohol at least five to six hours before bedtime as these could exacerbate the snoring.
5. Age
Age is also a factor which can worsen snoring. When we age, the muscles in our body tend to weaken. It is no different for the muscles in our airway. When air flow moves against these loose tissues, it causes them to vibrate thereby producing the familiar snoring sound.
Schedule A Consultation With Our ENT Doctors at Amandela ENT Head and Neck Centre
Make an appointment with our doctors at Amandela ENT Head and Neck Centre if you need treatment for your snoring. Our doctors are determined to deliver patient-centric care so that you receive the most suitable snoring treatment. Click here to arrange a consultation session with our team of ENT doctors at Amandela ENT Head and Neck centre.
