Snoring is a loud sound that occurs due to the relaxation of the soft palate, uvula and tonsils in the pharynx area, as well as the vibration of the soft tissue in this area due to breathing, during the passage of air from the upper respiratory tract through the throat area during sleep. During sleep, the area where the base of the tongue, palate and uvula meet the throat narrows slightly. The narrower the respiratory tract, the greater the intensity of the sound produced while breathing due to the narrowing of the airway. While 12% of children experience snoring, 45% of adults experience intermittent snoring and 25% experience regular snoring. Men snore more than women. This is because body fat in men and women is distributed in different areas. In women, fat is generally found in the hip area, while in men, fat is found in the neck and abdomen. The severity of snoring increases in parallel with sleeping position, age and weight. Therefore, especially in overweight men, when lying in the supine position, the pressure of the abdominal mass on the diaphragm increases the intrathoracic pressure; Severe snoring occurs when the tongue slides back and the soft tissues and muscles around the pharynx relax during sleep. However, as a result of the hormonal changes experienced in women after menopause, we can say that the intensity of snoring in women increases and even shows the same intensity as in men. This is because after menopause, the muscle structure of women becomes the same as that of men. Sleep apnea, a disorder that causes people to stop breathing for a short time, may occur with severe snoring. In addition, it may cause the sleep quality of the person or other people in the house to deteriorate. Sometimes an infection experienced by a person can also cause snoring. This condition, which we call simple snoring, occurs as a result of a temporary infection (swelling of the tonsils and adenoids, nasal congestion caused by colds and allergies. The additional effort made to take in air during sleep due to nasal congestion causes the soft tissues in the throat area to be pulled inwards. It causes snoring by opening the mouth. However, this situation is temporary and disappears when the person's infection process ends. In addition, alcohol, cigarette use or the use of certain medications are among the reasons that affect snoring. In such cases, muscle control is lost during sleep, and as the muscles relax, the tongue slides slightly towards the throat, causing snoring. Generally, after a tiring day, the intensity of snoring may increase. People who snore during sleep feel weak and tired when they wake up in the morning because they cannot get a quality sleep. Other causes of snoring include; These include taking sleeping pills, being pregnant, sleeping position, high blood pressure, heart diseases and sleep apnea.
Although snoring seems to be a simple disease, it actually causes serious health problems as well as affecting the person's quality of life. Symptoms of snoring include; There are situations where the person constantly feels tired during the day, a sore throat in the morning, the person has difficulty controlling blood pressure or blood sugar, palpitations, lack of attention, decreased sleep quality and being constantly angry during the day.
Snoring Treatment
In case of snoring, firstly, get rid of excess weight, reduce alcohol and cigarette consumption, eat light foods, use nasal strips, change the sleeping position (snoring occurs more in the supine position) or use more pillows if necessary. solutions can be applied. Despite these, if the person's snoring complaints continue, then you should definitely be examined by a good ear, nose and throat doctor. The cause of snoring is determined through an examination by your physician and some additional tests, and appropriate treatment is recommended accordingly. Surgery is planned if an anatomical problem is detected, that is, a structural problem that causes obstruction of the airways.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition in which the upper airways are very narrow and soft tissues are damaged when sleep begins. It is a condition in which air entry through the mouth and nose is blocked for at least 10 seconds due to relaxation and obstruction of the respiratory tract due to the negative pressure that occurs during breathing. This situation, which lasts between 10-40 seconds, repeats intermittently throughout the night, and with this, a wakefulness reaction occurs in the brain and breathing occurs with wakefulness. The num muscles are activated, allowing the upper respiratory tract to open, and thus the person falls asleep again after a short wakefulness during sleep, and the person does not remember this wakefulness anyway. Thus, it causes the person's sleep quality to decrease and the person to face conditions such as excessive sleepiness, fatigue and weakness during the day. In addition, the amount of oxygen in the blood decreases significantly during breathing pauses, so sufficient oxygen cannot reach the heart, brain and other organs.
Sleep apnea symptoms,
-Drowsiness during the day, feeling of insomnia. , falling asleep while sitting in one place
-Not being able to breathe at night, that is, stopping breathing, this situation being observed by others
-Waking up with difficulty in breathing
-Dry mouth and Waking up with a sore throat and headache
-Very high intensity of snoring
Studies have found that sleep apnea is more common in men than in women. Considering that physical characteristics such as age and weight affect snoring, the rate in men and women increases significantly with age.
Sleep apnea occurs in three types. These;
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Also known as obstructive sleep apnea, it is the most common type of sleep apnea in society. It occurs due to factors that cause obstruction in the upper respiratory tract. Enlarged tonsils, prolapsed soft palate, or congestion in the upper respiratory tract due to weight may occur. In addition to being more common in men, it also begins to show itself in women during menopause.
- Central Sleep Apnea: It occurs when the brain does not send appropriate signals to the muscles that control breathing. It is called a breathing disorder during sleep, where breathing stops originating from the brain.
- Mixed Sleep Apnea: In this sleep apnea, both obstructive and central sleep apnea are seen together.
Reasons of Sleep Apnea
Reasons of Sleep Apnea
p>The reasons for the occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea differ.
The causes of obstructive sleep apnea; Blockage of the upper respiratory tract due to various reasons (middle nasal curvature, enlargement of the nasal concha) e or ballooning, sinusitis, nasal polyp, loss of elasticity or drooping of the soft palate, long uvula, chin tucked back)
Apart from this; gender (more common in men than women), being overweight, having narrow airways, having a thick neck circumference, alcohol and cigarette use.
Causes of central sleep apnea; Brain infection called encephalitis, brainstem problems, cerebral palsy, heart diseases, drug use (narcotic painkillers)
Sleep Apnea Diagnosis
In order to diagnose the disease correctly, first consult your doctor in detail. You need to arrange an interview. Afterwards, a general ear, nose and throat examination is performed. The upper airways are examined through a system with a camera at the end, called endoscopy, and stenosis is evaluated by imaging the airways with radiological examinations such as MRI and CT. Based on these evaluations, if your doctor suspects sleep apnea, he or she may request a sleep apnea test. This test, popularly known as a sleep test, is called polysomnography. This test is performed by placing the patient in a sleep laboratory and monitoring his sleep with electrodes placed on his body. The patient's brain waves, eye movements, mouth and nose airflow, snoring, heart rate, leg movements and oxygen levels are measured during sleep. Patients must stay in the sleeping room overnight. During the test, the signals received through cables connected to various points of the body are transferred to the computer outside the room. By examining these records taken until the morning, sleep apnea is diagnosed by looking at many parameters such as how many times breathing stops during sleep, how long it stops, how oxygen values and heart rate are affected when it stops, and whether deep sleep is experienced. This test also shows which type of sleep apnea you have. The number of apneas and hypoapneas are the most important factors in diagnosis. Apnea is known as the cessation of breathing during sleep, and hypoapnea is known as its slowing down. If a person stops breathing more than five times in an hour, that person is diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep apnea affects the person's sleep quality. It is a serious disease. Treatment methods vary depending on the type and depth of sleep apnea and the person's respiratory tract characteristics. Treatment methods; It is known as lifestyle changes, surgical treatments and positive air pressure.
Surgical intervention is necessary in people with severe stenosis in the upper respiratory tract. A sleep apnea device that provides positive air pressure may be recommended for people with severe sleep apnea problems. This device is called CPAP. A silicone mask connected to this device is attached to the patient. This mask ensures that the compressed air in the device is delivered to the patient. This device prevents the patient's airways from closing during sleep throughout the night, thanks to compressed air. Some patients may worry that using a silicone mask throughout the night will cause discomfort.
The best treatment for people whose sleep apnea has not reached advanced levels is to make lifestyle changes. The most important factor is weight control. One should be careful about what they eat, exercise regularly, and avoid eating heavy meals before going to sleep. Staying away from alcohol and cigarettes is one of the most important things to do in this regard. Sleeping position is also important. While sleeping, the side position should be preferred, not the back. Sleeping pills should never be used. Although nasal soothing strips and sprays help reduce snoring, they are not a valid solution for sleep apnea. These only provide temporary relief.
People with sleep apnea should definitely consult a specialist physician and act in line with the recommended treatment.
Read: 0
