Loud Snoring Is No Laughing Matter

While people often giggle when hearing someone’s snoring, loud snoring is hardly a laughing matter.  In fact, it could be outright dangerous.

What is Snoring?

Snoring is caused by the vibration of the soft palate during sleep.  Although there are numerous causes of snoring, the most common are allergies, sinus infections and other respiratory conditions.  A  less common, but amply more serious causes of snoring are forms of sleep apnea, a disorder that causes you to stop breathing during sleep.  Sleep apnea episodes may occur as many as 60 times an hour and last from 10 to 60 seconds each, thus impeding you to get an adequate amount of oxygen in your blood stream while increasing the amount of carbon dioxide.  Sleep apnea sufferers usually snore more loudly than other snorers and sleep more poorly.

Remedies for Loud Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Luckily, there are many ways to combat loud snoring and sleep apnea.  Some of the more successful ones may be found at your dentist’s office.  Mouth guards have been shown effective in alleviating snoring.  Many dentists treat snoring using oral fittings that prevent your tongue from falling backward during sleep and blocking your breathing passage.  It is, therefore, well worth your time and effort to talk with your dentist about your snoring.

Some may be embarrassed about their loud snoring, while others may deny it altogether, and not just because they are in denial, but because they don’t know they snore.  But if your sleeping partner complains that you are keeping him or her up at night, chances are he or she are telling you the truth.

So, while loud snoring might raise a chuckle, it is no laughing matter to be dismissed lightly or ignored.  Often, snoring can be an indication of serious medical disorders, such as sleep apnea or other obstructive medical disorders.  Fortunately these conditions are treatable.  Snoring resulting from overweight may be treated by a change in diet and exercise program.  Allergies, another major cause of snoring, may be treated with over-the-counter allergy medicines.  Smokers can stop smoking and drinkers can reduce their alcohol consumption.  Even nose and throat problems, such as sinusitis as tonsillitis are treatable with minor surgeries.  So, don’t be too quick to dismiss your loud snoring, talk to your dentist or doctor about it.