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What is snoring? An illness or allergy? Snoring has long been a topic of debate. Many people believe that it is sleep apnea, while many even say that it is merely a horrible sound that is caused by allergies. Snoring is basically not an illness, however, it is a symptom of something more problematic. When people fall asleep, the muscles in their bodies relax. At times, they would relax so much that they block their nasal airways, hence causing vibrations. The vibrations of these muscles cause them to produce sounds and that is what we call snoring. In other cases, the snoring may also be caused by the mouth’s anatomy while it can also be caused by sleep apnea, nasal problems such as chronic congestion and even alcohol. In addition, the narrower that your airway gets, the airflow gets even more forceful which causes the vibrations in the throat tissues to get even greater causing louder snoring. Following are the causes of snoring: 1. Sleep Apnea Sleep Apnea is the major and most serious cause of snoring. People with sleep apnea often stop breathing at usual intervals. It is specifically detected by loud episodes of snoring lead by complete silence, when they stop breathing. At this point the patient would wake up gasping for air. About half the adults that snore loudly, usually have sleep apnea. In this disease, the muscles relax so much that they can even close down for ten seconds at times. Its treatment includes the use of a machine that the patient wears while sleeping. The mask would blow air into the nose or the mouth to keep the air passage open. However, the treatment can also include a surgery to fix any permanent anatomical issues. It is important to cure sleep apnea though, because it will eventually lead to disturbed sleep and less oxygen flow to the body. This can eventually cause memory issues, osteoporosis, depression and even heart diseases and cancer.
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2. Other Causes There might be several other factors (lesser dangerous) that can cause snoring too. These include: a. Deviated Septum It is the condition where the wall between both the nostrils can be crooked or not in place. In such a case the person might snore. If the condition is very dangerous, the doctor may even suggest surgery. b. Nasal Congestion When your nose is stuffy due to allergies or cold, and you cannot breathe, that can trigger snoring as well. Being at a higher altitude, e.g. on a hiking trip; can also cause the same. In such a case, taking an antihistamine may solve the problem. c. Alcohol Alcohol is one of the best muscle relaxants. Hence, drinking too much right before going to sleep can also cause snoring.
Related Article: http://www.researchomatic.com/New-Research/Snoring-Causes-157208.html
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