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- What Causes Snoring?
There's no single cause of all snoring, it varies from person to person. It's usually a result of
passages in the mouth becoming blocked whilst we sleep - breathing in then causes vibrations that
result in the snore sound. There are lots of reasons for the passages becoming blocked including
age, lifestyle factors and serious medical conditions such as obstructive
sleep apnea (OSA). In many people there are multiple different factors contributing to
the snoring problem.
- What Is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical condition where breathing is obstructed during sleep to such an
extent that the sufferer temporarily stops breathing, often many times a night. For some people
OSA is little more than annoying but in some cases it can be life threatening. If you suspect you may
be suffering from sleep apnea then you should consult your doctor.
- Does Snoring Mean I have Sleep Apnea?
Perhaps but not necessarily. Most sleep apnea sufferers snore but not
all heavy snorers suffer from sleep apnea. Consult your doctor or a specialist sleep physician
for a disagnosis.
- How Can I Cure/Prevent/Reduce My Snoring?
Just as there's no single cause of snoring, there's no single snoring
treatment. Possible approaches vary
from simple nasal strips through to medical treatments such as
CPAP devices for OSA or even surgical
procedures.
- How Loud Is Snoring?
Many snorers refuse to believe their partners when told how loudly they snore. The average snorer
reaches around 60 decibels which is about the volume of normal speech. However some can get up
to as much as 80 or even 90 decibels
- How Common Is Snoring?
Snoring is very common. Estimates put the number of people who snore regularly at anything from 20%
(one in five) up to twice that figure. Snoring is more
frequent in men than in women.
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