Snoring becomes a serious problem when it causes you to stop breathing.. This is known as sleep apnea and can cause the sufferer to wake up at frequent intervals during the night.
The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea. During snoring the airways become narrower as the soft tissue at the back of the throat including the tonsils, uvula and soft palate relax and move around, however during sleep apnea the airways become so narrow that they close up completely stopping the flow of oxygen into the body. This can last for several seconds and in some cases up to a minute, but reflex actions cause the sufferer to wake up and start breathing again.
These interruptions to sleep can happen over several hundred times a night. The heart has to work much harder and could lead to heart failure if not treated. Sleep apnea can also lead to poor concentration during the day and tiredness which can affect your performance at work as well as your relationships You should visit your doctor as soon as possible to discuss methods of treatment if you suffer from sleep apnea. Many treatments for obstructive sleep apnea don't involve surgery and may require you to change your diet or exercise to lose weight.
You may be advised to use a nasal spray or wear a dental appliance. There is a machine called a CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure which requires you to wear a face mask that continually delivers constant air pressure to keep the airways open. Sometimes a surgical procedure called LAUP is used to remove excess tissue from the throat using a laser. It takes about half an hour and is done using a local anesthetic. It may though require more than one session if the problem is very severe.
Snoring can be disruptive not only to the sufferer but also their partner and sleep apnea certainly requires urgent attention as it could prove fatal if left untreated.
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