Posted by Article on Snori on August Thu 2nd 2:51 AM - Never Expires
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  1. #Snoring
  2.  
  3. Wikipedia defines [_Snoring_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoring) as
  4. >the vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting sound due to _obstructed air movement_ during breathing while sleeping.
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  6. Snoring is a very common phenomenon with adults and while in some cases snoring may be soft whereas in others, it can be loud and unpleasant. Snoring while in deep sleep may be a sign of [Obstructive Sleep Apnea](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obstructive_sleep_apnea OSA) (OSA).
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  8. Snoring directly affects the quantity and _quality_ of not just your sleep but also that of others in your family and can in the long term lead to undersired effects such as fatigue, irritability, a greater risk of high blood pressure, heart failure and stroke.
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  10. To best understand and treat snoring, you need to get to the bottom of _why you snore_ and then proceed to get appropriate treatment. The good news is that no matter how and when you snore, there are solutions to making your snoring better.
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  13. ##Causes
  14. Different people snore while sleeping because of various reasons, and not all snoring is the same. People who snore regularly do so because they have larger nasal and throat tissue, also called "floppy" tissue that is more prone to vibrate during breathing.
  15.  
  16. Snoring often can also be due to the tongue getting in the way of your regular breathing when asleep.
  17.  
  18. Here are the most commonly diagnosed causes of snoring:
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  20. * **Mouth Anatomy** A low, thick soft palate or enlarged tonsils or adenoids at the back of your throat can narrow the airway into from your nose into your lungs. The tissues at the top of the airways if touching each other acts as a flutter valve and hence cause snoring too.
  21. * **Mispositioned Jaw** caused due to tension in the muscles can cause snoring.
  22. * **Sleeping position** Sleeping on your back can cause your tongue to lump to the back of your throat and hence cause air-flow restriction.
  23. * **Fat gathering in and around the throat** Being overweight can cause extra buildup in your throat that contributes to the narrowing of your airway.
  24. * **Nasal and sinus problems** Blocked airways make inhalation difficult and create a vacuum in the throat, leading to snoring.
  25. * **Alcohol Consumption** Alcohol tends to relax the throat muscles leading to more snoring.
  26.  
  27. ##Risk factors and complications
  28.  
  29. Being a habitual snorer is not just a nuisance but also adds a considerable number of risks and complications:
  30.  
  31. * Daytime sleepiness
  32. * Relationship problems
  33. * Difficulty concentrating
  34. * A greater risk of high blood pressure, heart failure and stroke
  35. * An increased risk of behavior problems, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in children with obstructive sleep apnea
  36. * An increased risk of motor vehicle accidents due to lack of sleep
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  38. ##Diagnosis
  39.  
  40. How you snore reveals a lot about why you snore. Sleep positions reveal a lot about yous snoring habit too. Apart from a regular physical examination and a check of your medical history, a sleep study or Polysomnography can be conducted overnight and can provide in-depth analysis of your sleeping patterns and habits. The test can also help detect or rule out Obstructive Sleep Apnea and can also figure out a cause to snoring that can hence be treated accordingly.
  41.  
  42. Roughly, why you snore can be classified into the following categories:
  43.  
  44. * Closed-mouth snoring may indicate a problem with your tongue
  45. * Open-mouth snoring can indicate a problem with tissues in your throat
  46. * Snoring when sleeping on your back is probably mild snoring and can be cured with improved sleep habits and changes to your lifestyle.
  47. * Snoring in all sleeping positions indicates a more severe problem and would require a further diagnosis and more comprehensive treatment.
  48.  
  49. ##Self help cures
  50. Snoring is a very common sleeping habit and considering the reasons why you snore, a few simple lifestyle changes can help address the problem immediately. However, it is suggested that if you have imminent fatigue and daytime drowsiness, you do consult with a physician and get diagnosed properly for any ailments that may be.
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  52. That said, these are the most common cures that can help you with snoring:
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  54. * **Losing Weight** Overweight is one of the primal causes to snoring. Getting back to a fitter lifestyle by eathing healthy, regular excercise and reducing weight can automatically help control snoring
  55. * **Smoking, Alcohol and Tranquilzers** Smoking causes micro-particles to block the airways by irritating the nasal and throat membranes making you snore. Alcohol and sleeping pills if consumed before bed time relax the muscles in the body hence interfering with breathing. This can also lead to a more dangerous Sleep Apnea condition.
  56. * **Sleep patterns** Establishing a proper and regular sleep cycle can also cure snoring. Discuss with your partner on sleeping and waking at scheduled times.
  57. * **Clear Nasal passages** Having a blocked nose just before hitting the bed means that you will snore into the night. Nasal sprays or decongestants can help solve this problem.
  58. * **Sleeping position** Elevating your head by a few degrees from the body can ease breathing by preventing your tongue from rolling back to your throat. Use a raised pillow or get a bed that can be adjusted to raise your back.
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  60.  
  61. ##Coping with a snoring partner
  62. A Snoring partner can cause you an hour of sleep per night! This can cause problems in the relationship and not to mention the health effects due to sleep deprivation. When it comes to coping with a snoring partner, do realise that he or she snores without knowledge of the act and it is not intentional. While it may be embarassing to inform about the snoring or being informed, it is imperative that you assist your partner and look to find a cure for the problem.
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  64. Understand that snoring is a physical issue just like a bruised knee or a pulled muscle. It can be checked up and cured. Talk to your partner without offending them and try to find common ground to the problem. Remember not to use snoring as a topic for venting out other frustrations that you might harbour. While short term solutions like ear-plugs or white-noise exists, please consult a doctor to see how the problem can be suitably cured.
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