The problem of heavy snoring during sleep is still underestimated by most people, despite the fact that snoring occurs in 30% of adults.
Uncomplicated episodic snoring, even severe, is not dangerous in itself. But in some cases, snoring during sleep is the main manifestation of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, which is characterized by complete or partial closure of the upper respiratory tract during sleep with the appearance of pauses in breathing.
Watch a video about how this disease develops.
Snoring during sleep is especially common in people who have certain anatomical features that contribute to the narrowing of the airways:
- curvature of the nasal septum;
- nasal polyps;
- congenital narrowness of the nasal passages;
- enlargement of the tonsils;
- elongated palatine uvula;
- obesity;
- small and backwardly displaced lower jaw.
The appearance of snoring is also facilitated by functional factors that reduce the muscle tone of the anatomical structures of the pharynx:
- the process of natural aging of the body;
- menopause in women;
- decreased thyroid function;
- alcohol intake and smoking;
- chronic fatigue and lack of sleep;
- taking sleeping pills;
- allergic rhinitis.
Sleep apnea is a serious and dangerous disease. The clinical symptoms of the patient increase over time. At first, the quality of night sleep suffers, its structure is disturbed. Various neurophysiological disorders appear, initially leading to increased fatigue and a significant decrease in performance, and later to the appearance of personality changes .
Nocturnal snoring through the nose (i.e., that occurs when breathing through the nose) or mouth, accompanied by frequent episodes of airway closure, leads to the development of oxygen starvation, which causes spasm of the vessels of the pulmonary circulation. This is manifested by shortness of breath. At the same time, blood pressure rises and cardiac arrhythmias occur. With a severe form of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and the absence of timely and adequate treatment , the risk of heart attacks, strokes, chronic heart failure, and sudden death of the patient increases significantly . Mortality rates in untreated sleep apnea patients are 4.5 times higher than those in the general population.
For the reasons stated above, ignoring the fact of heavy snoring at night can lead to serious consequences, up to disability and death . The presence of severe snoring should be the reason for the obligatory consultation of a specialist.
Only a doctor who treats snoring, using modern diagnostic equipment, can timely diagnose obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Diagnosis of the disease is carried out in specialized medical centers. One of the leading institutions of this type is the Center for Sleep Medicine at the Rehabilitation Clinic in Khamovniki, which specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of such disorders and their complications.
The most effective and basic method of treating sleep apnea is CPAP therapy. It eliminates the symptoms, reduces the risks of the disease and begins to show its positive effects from the first night of treatment.
Prisma CPAP machines are currently being developed Line from the new line of Weinmann , Germany. Their use allows the most effective and comfortable treatment of the entire spectrum of respiratory disorders in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.