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Art-121 SNORING By Peter Rose FSI Contents include; Snoring, Sleep Apnea Snoring is one of those problems that usually causes more difficulties to partners that those who actually snore. Sleep Apnea is a serious condition that is much more than “just” snoring. Sleep Apnea can shorten a patient’s life and certainly can destroy the quality of life. Snoring In young- under 5 years-children there may be an enlargement of the adenoids, and as this may lead to other problems, the child should be examined professionally. Generally in adults snoring is caused by a distortion of the soft tissue and muscular structure that is involved in breathing. This structure is complex but generally some part of it is weaker than the rest, causing an imbalance of air flow. Some times a person who is over weight will have excess tissue in this structure and this is the cause of the snoring. Many of the old folk remedies—corks under the pillow, some thing sewn into the night wear (to prevent the person sleeping on their back), raising the foot of the bed, etc—seem to be ineffective and mostly seem to prevent the person from sleeping at all! SOLUTIONS Specialist Teeth and gum guards that are fitted by your dentist, but while these are sold as being a “cure” the effectiveness is in doubt and they can be expensive. Sleep Apnea or Obstructive Sleep Apnea (sometimes...Apnoea) SYMPTOMS INCLUDE Apnea is the temporary cessation of breathing from any cause. Sleep apnea is this temporary cessation due to being asleep. The patient can stop breathing for several hundred times per night; they can stop breathing for a few seconds up to really high risk 2 or 3 minutes at a time. The body usually partially awakes so that breathing commences again, the patient may not be aware of having stopped breathing or of the waking up. They will be tired all the time and have all the other symptoms Obstructive Sleep Apnea is relatively rare but is one of those problems that was considerably “undiagnosed” in the past. Even now it is possible that many sufferers, who could benefit from specialist attention, are not referred to those specialists. It does seem to be aggravated by being overweight but many victims are not very much over a normal weight. SOLUTIONS Specialist Teeth and gum guards that are fitted by your dentist, but while these are sold as being a “cure” the effectiveness is in doubt.
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