Snoring

The following lists some of the causes of snoring:

• Smoking
• Obesity
• Sinus Infection
• Sleep Apnea
• Sleep Related Breathing Disorders
• Tonsillitis
• Alcohol use
• Anatomical variations (elongated soft palate or uvula)
• Cysts or tumors of the throat
• Medications
• Nasal polyps
• Nasal septal deviation
• Trauma or scarring of air passages
• Sleeping position
• Viral infection with nasal congestion

There are two aspects to the harmful effects of snoring:

1. Harmful effects on the bed partner or roommate
   The bed partner’s or roommate’s sleep can be adversely interrupted. This can inevitably result in an unpleasant, strained relationship. Spouses, couples, or siblings often ended up sleeping in different rooms because the snoring was so intolerable that the non-snorer can’t get a good night’s sleep.
   
   On the flip side, the non-snorer often urges the snorer to seek professional attention. In the case of sleep apnea (or sleep apnoea), the non-snorer can become a useful source of information.
   
   
2. Harmful effects on the snorer.
   The following list shows some of the detrimental effects of snoring.
   • Sleep deprivation and fatigue
   • Insomnia
   • Poor concentration and attention
   • Memory problems
   • Anxiety
   • Irritability
   • Headaches
   • Difficulty performing work duties

   Snoring could also be indicative of a more serious medical condition one of which is called sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea (Apnoea), a disorder common among adults is characterized by a reduction or pause of breathing (airflow) during sleep. In simplified terms, an apnea occurs when a person stops breathing for 10 seconds or more. If you stop breathing completely or take less than 25% of a normal breath for a period that lasts 10 seconds or more, this is an apnea.

One of the best people to help you answer this question is your bed partner or roommate. People with sleep apnea (apnoea) generally have the following symptoms:

• Loud, frequent snoring:
  The pattern of snoring is associated with episodes of silence that may last from 10 seconds to as long as a minute or more. The end of an apnea episode is often associated with loud snores, gasps, moans, and mumblings. Not everyone who snores has apnea, by any means, and not everyone with apnea necessarily snores (though most do). This is probably the best and most obvious indicator.
• Your bed partner or roommate indicates that you periodically stop breathing during your sleep, or gasp for breath.
• Excessive daytime sleepiness/fatigue:
  Falling asleep when you don’t intend to. This could be almost anytime you are sitting down, such as during a lecture, while watching TV, while sitting at a desk, and even while driving a car. Ask yourself, “Did I used to be able to (read, drive, watch TV) for longer periods of time without falling asleep?” If the answer is “yes”, you may have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder. Even if you don’t literally fall asleep, excessive fatigue (that is, you got plenty of sleep and you’re still really tired) could be an indicator.
• Unrefreshed sleep with feelings of grogginess, dullness, morning headaches, severe dryness of the mouth.
• Body movements:
  Often accompany the awakenings at the end of each apnea episode, and this, together with the loud snoring, will disrupt the bed partner’s sleep and often cause her/him to move to a separate bed or room.

You may not realize it but snoring may be slowly but incessantly taking its toll on your career, relationships, academic achievements, mental and physical health, and much much more.

Clinical hypnotherapy coupled with behavioral modifications is the answer to your snoring problems. They are effective, safe, and natural treatment approaches for snoring issues. No expensive and invasive surgery, no medications that potentially causes harmful side-effects. Clinical hypnotherapy treatment is brief and cost-effective.

So call us to book an appointment today, you and your partner or roommate will be glad that you did.