Excessive snoring may be associated
with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea which is a conditon
charactorised by periods of apnoea (episodes of cessation
of breathing) whilst asleep. This can cause daytime
sleepiness, heart problems, impaired memory, irritability,
straining social relationships, sexual dysfunction and poor
work performance.
Snoring
occurs when air is obstructed from entering your
upper airway by relaxed and collapsed
muscule tone and has many causes.
How is this treated?
Treatment involves
a full history and examination often in conjuction with an ENT
surgeon who may also advise special sleep studies to
assess the condition. Treatment may initially
involve diet modification, exercise, reduction of alcohol then
more specialied treatments such as jaw repositioning devices
and surgery.
Treating the condition in the early stages
decreases long term damage to the heart and
lungs.
