Snoring

The danger of snoring
Although it is a frequent subject of humour, in many cases snoring is no laughing matter! Not only does it disrupt the sleep cycles of other family members, but in the case of sleep apnoea, snoring can be a sign of a dangerous health problem. Sleep apnoea actually cuts off the flow of oxygen to the brain, and in severe cases can cause serious damage.

How snoring affects others
Even if sleep apnoea is not indicated, the disruption of the sleep cycles of family members can create a serious hazard. Recent studies have indicated that repeated disruption of sleep patterns can cause sufferers to perform motor skills at or below the levels of individuals who are over the legal limit for the work they do! So even if your snoring is not a sign of sleep apnea, it is possible that your snoring could be a real threat to your loved ones. Impaired reaction behind the wheel of an car, for example, can lead to disaster regardless of the cause.

What causes snoring?
Quite simply, snoring is caused by a partially obstructed airway. When you sleep, the soft tissue and muscles in your mouth and throat relax, causing your airway to become smaller. If your airway becomes small enough, your soft palate and uvula begin to vibrate when you inhale and exhale. These vibrations are the cause of the sound most people call snoring.

What can be done to stop snoring?
Many traditional treatments use cumbersome pressurization equipment to open the airway. A simpler, and more effective method is to keep the airway open by utilising a simple mouthpiece which maintains proper jaw alignment. This mouthpiece, similar to a sports mouthpiece, allows the patient to breathe through either the nose or the mouth.

On the left, without a snore prevention mouthpiece, the patient's lower jaw relaxes and causes his airway to constrict, resulting in snoring. On the right, with the snore prevention mouthpiece in place, the lower jaw is maintained in proper position so the airway remains open, and snoring is eliminated.

If someone is snoring in your house, do make an appointment for a consultation.