Snoring - not a rare phenomenon
Approximately 10 – 30% of all adults snore.
Up to 30% of all adults snore, and the older we get, the more we snore. Among men over the age of 50, 60 – 80% are already snorers.
Whether it’s a quiet rattle or noisy snoring, if the snorer’s breathing rhythm or sleep quality is not disturbed, it is a harmless disturbance that primarily affects the person next to them in bed.
Not entirely harmless: sleep apnea
Loud and irregular snoring, on the other hand, can be a sign of temporary respiratory arrest, known as sleep apnea. In severe cases, breathing stops for up to 75% of the total sleep time. This is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires action. About 5% of the population suffer from it.
What causes snoring?
Impairment of nasal breathing
Any impairment of nasal breathing favors noisy sleep – for example, enlarged palatine and pharyngeal tonsils, a deviated nasal septum or a blocked nose.
If the air supply through the nose is no longer sufficient, the sleeper breathes in through the mouth. Due to the narrowing of the airways, the soft palate (soft palate and uvula) begins to vibrate in the airflow when you inhale, producing the snoring sound.
Supine position and increased fat deposition
Sleeping in a supine position, which causes the base of the tongue to sink backwards, increases the narrowing of the airways, as does the natural relaxation of the muscles of the nasopharynx during sleep.
The increased fat deposits in the throat and tongue area in overweight people also cause a narrowing of the airways.
Daytime sleepiness
Sleep apnea – a temporary cessation of breathing during sleep – can lead to daytime sleepiness and can be the trigger for high blood pressure, heart failure, heart attacks and strokes.
What can you do about snoring?
Changing your sleeping position Sleeping with an elevated upper body reduces snoring. You should avoid sleeping on your back at all costs.
Weight reduction in case of obesity
Obesity is the classic cause of snoring. So declare war on your fat deposits – and look forward to a healthy night’s sleep. Your partner will also thank you for it. Of course, you will also be doing your body good in every other respect by getting fitter.
No alcohol before going to bed
Many studies have shown that people wake up more frequently in the second half of the night after drinking alcohol. The reason for this is that the alcohol is then broken down to a level at which it has a stimulating effect again. What’s more, drinking a lot increases the urge to urinate and thirst, as alcohol draws water from the body. But if you have to get up again and again, you won’t sleep peacefully.
If it gets worse: see a doctor
Loud and irregular snoring that occurs in any position can be a sign of sleep apnea, a temporary cessation of breathing.
In severe cases, breathing stops for up to 75% of the total sleep time. This is a potentially life-threatening disease. In this case, you should always consult a doctor, who may refer you to a sleep medicine center for a detailed examination of your sleep.