The stages of sleep and how they affect snoring
Snoring and the stages of sleep
Snoring may occur throughout all the stages of sleep. Snoring is often common during REM. During the REM stage of sleep it is known that loss in muscle tone that contributes to snoring. During REM the brain tells the muscles to relax however this may result in the tongue, throat or palate collapsing when they relax. This will result in the airway becoming narrow and increases the possibility of snoring.
Your sleep position and how it affects snoring
Generally we sleep lying down but not necessarily always. As gravity pulls all the tissue in our bodies the pharynx are affected even more so as they are soft tissue with little muscle structure. As a result when we sleep on our back gravity is pulling on the tongue, tonsils, and palate backwards. As a result our airway is in narrowed sufficiently to create turbulent airflow which allows the tissue to vibrate and results in snoring. Generally a stiff elbow to the ribs will prompt the snore to rule on their side and the snoring may end or be greatly reduced.
How alcohol and medication affects snoring
You need to understand that all snoring is simply caused by vibrations of tissues within the back of the mouth and throat. Alcohol and medications may lead to a relaxed state while sleeping. The neck, tongue, pharynx and palate may relax even more causing our airway to collapse. This will lead to greater vibrations of our tissues as the airway is smaller. Many medications may have the same effect by deepening our sleep they came to increase the possibility of snoring.
Is snoring, a real problem?
There are times when snoring may be a sign of more serious problems. Individuals who snore are advised to seek a medical checkup in order to rule out other problems such as sleep apnea. It is also advised it should be checked out for breathing related problems during sleep. In cases where breathing and sleep are normal the only real problem is that of the snorer’s family or sleep partner. It may surprise you to find out that snoring generally affects those people who can hear it more than the actual snore. Often partners report leaving or making the snorer leave the bedroom several nights during the week. Although snoring may not need medical treatment it oftentimes may lead to social problems or problems with the snorer’s bed partner.
There are many situations however were snoring is a true medical problem. If you or your loved one is a regular snore and have not seek medical advice it is recommended that you do. This will help to alleviate the possibility of a true underlying problem. If your doctor determines there is a true underlying problem it is recommended that you seek professional advice from two or more medical experts. This is advisable before starting any medical type treatment or committing to surgical treatment. If the condition is not medical you may be able to find ways in which to contribute to a better night's sleep. |
