Is It Just a Snore?

Have you ever found yourself jolted awake by the sound of your partners snoring? You lay there and nudge them until they themselves become aware of their disturbance. In many cases it has caused for problematic marriages, and couples sleeping in separate rooms. We all know how precious sleep is and being woken up night after night from unbearable snoring may have a more serious underlying medical cause then we think.

Snoring is caused by a narrowing, or blockage of the airway towards the back of the mouth and upper portion of the throat. There are many factors that can cause the throat to narrow including: relaxation of upper airway muscles, allergies, sinuses, and obesity. If you snore on a regular basis, it may be an indicator that you suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea during sleep, usually snoring is accompanied by kicking, flailing and body spasms leaving you feeling disoriented when waking.

Although not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, try these self-help exercises to aid in more restful sleep:

• Exercise regularly to develop good muscle tone
• Avoid alcohol and smoking within four hours of bed time
• Sleep on your side rather than your back
• Raise the head of your bed (not your pillow) four inches

If you try some of these tips and still find yourself in restless sleep night after night, you may want to contact your doctor to schedule a visit. For more information on sleep disorders contact the Sleep Center at 410.641.9726.