When can snoring indicate a medical problem?

Snoring is a part of many - young and old, women and men. However, sometimes it is not just a problem in the bedroom, but a sign that can indicate sleep apnea. What are the suggested treatments and how do you identify the problem? An expert explains

When can snoring indicate a medical problem?

In the video: A very surprising solution to snoring

Snoring is undoubtedly a problem that can make life difficult for couples. Most people find it difficult to fall asleep alongside a snore, while the snoozer often feels helpless and guilty. Beyond the socio-marital problem, they may indicate a much more serious medical problem.

Despite what it is customary to think, snoring is not a problem of a defined population. Many suffer from it - whether it is young people, adults, men or women. Some do not attach much importance to this, while in others it is seen as a very serious problem which impairs sleep and quality and quality of life in general.

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When does the problem become medical?

The snoring is caused by vibration of the soft tissues, especially in the soft palate area, from the respiratory stenosis that may be caused by a narrow anatomical structure in the air passage, overweight, or a structural problem at the base of the tongue and palate.

Sometimes snoring can indicate a problem with sleep apnea. Respiratory apnea develops due to obstructive breathing, followed by a decrease in oxygen permeability, which causes a kind of "awakening" so that the person can breathe again.

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Although people who have sleep apnea can wake up many times at night to breathe, most of them do not remember it, but the consequences are expressed by increased fatigue, various illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, ADHD and exacerbation of existing problems, and without A provider may pose a health risk that requires medical intervention.

Statistics, causes and treatments

About 4 percent of men and about 2 percent of women suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Most are aged 55-60, but there are also younger people and children who suffer. Breathing breaks can be caused by a number of factors, including anatomic abnormalities in the palate / palate / tongue base, physical fitness, overweight and poor general condition.

About 4 percent of men and about 2 percent of women suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Man snores (Photo: shutterstock)

Snoring at night (Photo: ShutterStock)

The most effective and effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is the use of a CPAP device that creates continuous positive airway pressure and opens the airways. Other options for weight loss are overweight and even bariatric surgery, a myofascial treatment including palate strengthening exercises by a specialist communication clinician in the field, a dental implant that allows the lower jaw to be pulled forward so that the tongue does not fall back, or a pacemaker to prevent tongue fall "To).

About 60 percent of patients come for surgery. Those who find it difficult to get on with the mask or alternatively, those other treatments have failed. In an operating room, an endoscopic sleep-under-anesthesia (SLEEP ENDOSCOPY) test is performed to detect existing obstructions in the nasal, pharynx, palate, tongue base and throat lid. Once the obstructions are found, their shape and rank can be addressed and analyzed according to the findings.

Dr. Yitzhak Braverman is the Head of the Throat Unit and Head Surgery of Hillel Yaffe Medical Center