Why do we snore ? When do we sleep?

Why do we snore when we sleep? Mechanism of snoring and sleep apnea

The figures speak for themselves, 7 out of 10 French people suffer from snoring. But why do we snore when we sleep? What mechanism does the respond to? ronchopathy?

Snoring refers to the noise emitted by a person during sleep. This noise can be more or less loud and therefore more or less annoying. When it is simple to moderate it will be between 45 and 60 decibels (noise of a hubbub), on the other hand when it is severe it will easily reach up to 100 decibels (sound of a passing truck).

It is important to understand that among the subjects of snoring some are occasional snorers (45%) while others are regular snorers (25%). As you age, snoring is more frequent.

To understand why we snore when we sleep, it is necessary to understand the mechanism of the throat during the night. The noise of snoring results from a vibration of the uvula. Snoring translated air resistance. During sleep, the tissues of the throat are relaxed and cause vibrations. As we mentioned, the uvula vibrates, but it is not the only one. The cheeks, tonsils and tongue can also vibrate and cause snoring.

We should now highlight the specific case of sleep apnea. For some snorers, their ronchopathy is evidence of apnea. Concretely, sleep apnea is characterized by a decrease or cessation of respiratory flow. These pauses in breathing and snoring are the most noticeable signs of apnea. If sleep apnea is suspected, it is important to consult a doctor. An examination of ventilatory polygraphy will be carried out. This syndrome less common than simple snoring affects between 0.5 and 5 % of population.

Why do we snore when we sleep? The causes: Alcohol, nasal congestion, overweight….

Why do we snore when we sleep? Are there causes or aggravating factors? Yes, there are a number of anatomical causes and a large number of aggravating factors.

The aggravating factors are numerous and are linked to lifestyle. The first risk factor is overweight. Overweight causes narrowing of the airways. In the same way, pregnancy can also cause snoring.

The second factor related to lifestyle concerns drinking. Alcohol has a myorelaxant action. The muscles relax and relax favoring then snoring. Alcohol consumption therefore disrupts the sleep cycle and accentuates ronchopathy.

Taking sleeping pills and tranquilizers will have the same effect as alcohol. It is therefore advisable to limit their consumption as much as possible.
Tobacco should also be avoided, especially before bedtime since it irritates the mucous membranesof the throat. This irritation makes the throat swell and reduces the passage of air.

Finally, the position during the night can promote snoring. It is known that sleeping on your back increases the chances of snoring. When the position on the back is difficult for the snorer to avoid, it is advisable to use tricks. For example, it is recommended to sew a tennis ball on the back of your pyjamas.

With regard to anatomical causes, we can name a number of them. The first cause is an excess volume at the tonsil level. The second cause, and by far the most common, is nasal congestion. A cold very often causes snoring. Finally we can mention the presence of polyps in the nasal passages.

Why do we snore when we sleep? solutions

The first rule to observe is to consult a doctor in time. An ENT will be able to diagnose < strong>the severity of your ronchopathy and to offer you an appropriate treatment.

Different solutions exist to alleviate snoring. There are many over-the-counter treatments. We can mention the essential oils which have a virtue decongestant. It is recommended to do with the tongue before bedtime to reduce the risk of snoring.

Beyond natural remedies, there are different medical solutions. The first drug is a nasal spray , it will be recommended in case of light to moderate snoring. We can also mention the mandibular advancement orthosis. This gutter which can be made to measure must be used every night.

The flexible anti-snoring cannula aims to fight against asphyxia by allowing the passage of air to the larynx through the mouth and nose. This system makes it possible to humidify the inspired air and thus avoid dryness of the mucous membranes, larynx and mouth.

Finally, Back2Sleep is a medical device that helps you find restful sleep and prevent snoring. This nasal orthosis is very easy to use and allows you to return to sleep from the first night.