Snoring in sleep in men: causes, treatment

One of the most unpleasant problems that causes inconvenience not only to the person himself, but also to those around him is snoring.

Epidemiology

Snoring is very common in men. The prevalence of habitual snoring is about 29.5% in men, compared to 8.9 in women. [ 1 ] Moreover, this figure increases with age, according to research, 45% of men and 30% of women over 65 snore. [ 2 ], [ 3 ]

[ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ]

Causes male snoring

Violation of the normal tone of the upper respiratory tract, development of atony, congenital pathology of the nasal passages, in particular, their narrowness, curvature, enlargement, neoplasms. Also, the cause may be an increase in the tonsils, upper palate. Also, the cause may be a displacement or violation of the size of the lower or upper jaw, impaired mobility. [ 7 ]

There are anatomical and functional reasons that contribute to the development of severe snoring in men. This occurs after operations, with violations of the anatomical integrity of the respiratory tract. The risk increases significantly with nasal congestion, inflammatory, infectious, colds. In this case, the respiratory tract narrows, or an obstruction or narrowing occurs directly in them. The risk also increases with curvatures, tumors.

Risk factors

People with sinusitis and sinusitis also get into trouble. Sometimes there are congenital factors that predispose. The risk also increases significantly with excess weight, obesity, and edema. Due to the development of edema, snoring often occurs during pregnancy and kidney disease. Snoring can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption (one-time or regular, systematic), [ 8 ] and sometimes simply lack of sleep and banal fatigue.

Risk factors include the use of sedatives, as well as tranquilizers, [ 9 ] smoking. [ 10 ] The risk increases in old and senile age due to atony and degradation of laryngeal cells.

Pathogenesis

Normally, the partial pressure of oxygen decreases, and the air pressure also decreases. Air passes freely with inhalation. If the tone is reduced excessively, sagging tissues are also sucked in. The process is accompanied by intense sound production, which is carried out due to the oscillatory movements of the walls. In severe pathology, the cheeks and tongue are also involved in the process. [ 11 ]

[ 12 ], [ 13 ]

Symptoms male snoring

The presence of oscillatory movements, during which sound is produced. The sound is usually drawn-out and unpleasant. Sometimes there are sharp gasps, gasps for air, a feeling of lack of oxygen, and "sticking" of the respiratory tract.

The first signs are usually a sound coming from the larynx during sleep. Often, people around you report this, since in the early stages of the pathology, a person does not feel or hear their own snoring, does not wake up from it, and does not experience discomfort.

According to statistics, snoring is more common among men. Thus, every 10th man snores, while among women only one in 30 snores. That is, it can be said that the frequency of snoring among women is three times lower than among men. At the same time, every tenth snoring man suffers from apnea.

Psychosomatics of snoring in men

Men with a strong character, strong-willed, little emotional, calculating are subjected to it. In everyday life, everything is under control, they are always punctual, responsible, disciplined. As a rule, there is a heavy workload at work, irregular working hours. They are often subjected to chronic fatigue, constant stress. They sleep, as a rule, little, but quite soundly, deeply. The muscles relax greatly, hence the problem arises.

[ 14 ], [ 15 ]

Complications and consequences

Snoring can cause the airways to close completely due to their blockage and clamping with soft tissues. One of the most dangerous complications is sleep apnea, or respiratory arrest. This leads to the development of oxygen starvation. There is a lack of oxygen in vital organs, which significantly increases the risk of developing a heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis, and arterial hypertension. [ 16 ],,, [ 17 ] Another unpleasant consequence is disruption of night sleep, lack of proper rest, both for the person who snores and for the people around him.

Snoring in men with breath holding

In addition, a snoring person's quality of life and quality of night sleep are significantly reduced, a feeling of sleep deprivation and chronic fatigue develop. This is due to the fact that even if a person does not wake up, his body is still subject to micro-awakenings. Such night awakenings occur repeatedly during the night. This leads to the fact that a person does not get enough sleep, he quickly develops fatigue, he becomes aggressive, irritable. An accompanying factor is constant drowsiness that accompanies a person, concentration of attention, the ability to think and remember are significantly reduced.

[ 18 ]

Snoring in young men

The danger of apnea is that it occurs up to 500 times per night. The average duration is 10-20 seconds. During this time, breathing is held, which leads to oxygen deficiency. The brain, nervous and hormonal systems are especially susceptible to hypoxic processes. There is also a disruption of the normal functioning of the nervous system, and muscle spasms develop.

A characteristic feature is that a person constantly wakes up during snoring, even if he is not aware of it and does not remember it. The fact is that during snoring, there is excessive relaxation of the muscles, the level of oxygen in the blood decreases to a critical level, and the level of arterial pressure also drops.

The brain automatically sends signals to the sympathetic nervous system, it is activated, the body wakes up. The sympathetic sections act on the body in an awakening manner, as a result of which arterial pressure increases, the pulse quickens. Such pressure and pulse changes also negatively affect the condition of the blood vessels, the heart, reducing their tone and leading to the development of dystonic conditions. This also leads to a sharp increase in the risk of developing heart attacks, lung diseases, bronchi. The risk of developing strokes increases.

A person who suffers from constant snoring has a significantly reduced reaction speed and concentration. This leads to an increase in the number of industrial accidents, accidents, and car crashes. A characteristic feature is a decrease in potency, which occurs as a result of constant lack of sleep and weakness of the body.

Diagnostics male snoring

There is no special doctor who would deal directly with the treatment of snoring. Usually, an ENT specialist can determine the cause and make the correct diagnosis, select treatment. He does this by examining the throat, nasopharynx, pharynx, carefully studying the condition of the nasal septum. It is also necessary to examine the ears. This is due to the fact that the nasopharynx and ears are connected to each other in a single system through the Eustachian tube.

But if the ENT did not reveal any pathologies, you need to look in another direction. In this case, it is better to visit a therapist, tell him all the complaints, focus on your subjective feelings and assumptions. Here, collecting anamnesis not only of the disease, but also of the patient's life plays an important role. It is important to conduct a conversation, a survey and record the information received. The cause may be hidden here, and based on complaints and subjective feelings, you can get an approximate picture of the pathology and plan further examinations. [ 19 ]

[ 20 ]

Tests

The most general picture of what is happening in the body can be obtained using clinical tests, such as blood, urine, and stool tests. They will show what processes are taking place in the body and their approximate direction. They will show whether there are deviations from the norm. If so, in what direction, how pronounced they are, and how severe they are. To obtain more detailed data, you can conduct a biochemical blood test, a detailed immunogram.

If any pathology is suspected, specific additional tests are prescribed, depending on the suspected diagnosis. For example, a virological study, microflora analysis, dysbacteriosis analysis, microbiological and bacteriological culture, analysis for latent infections may be required. Rheumatic tests, allergy tests, determination of tumor markers, and cytological examination may also be required.

[ 21 ], [ 22 ]

Instrumental diagnostics

The main instrumental methods used are polysomnographic studies, which allow us to assess the severity of night apnea, its severity, and the degree of progression. The essence of this study is that a person who is asleep is measured for pulse, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and heart contractions.

The electroencephalogram method is also used, the essence of which is to assess the sleep structure, the functional activity of the brain. The otolaryngologist, using special equipment, performs rhinoscopy (examination of the nose, nasal sinuses). The ears are also examined (otoscopy). Laryngoscopy is almost always performed - examination of the nasopharynx, pharynx.

Such methods as X-ray examination, fluorogram, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, active rhinopneumomanometry, spirometry, and other methods may be required. [ 23 ]

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics is based on the need to clearly differentiate the cause that provoked the development of snoring. Only by correctly determining the cause of the pathology can it be eliminated, and, accordingly, the pathology itself will disappear. Snoring usually does not have to be differentiated from other diseases, since its symptoms are quite specific. For this, laboratory and instrumental methods are used, as well as clinical research, functional tests.

Treatment male snoring

It is considered that the etiological treatment is optimal. There are cases that require additional consultation with an immunologist or allergist. Allergy is accompanied by excessive secretion of immunoglobulin E, histamine, which in a certain way change the composition, structure, and functions of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx, pharynx, and respiratory tract. The composition of surfactant (part of the alveoli and bronchi) can also change. Allergy can cause tissue swelling, which leads to snoring. Thus, by eliminating the allergy, you can get rid of snoring. A consultation with an immunologist is prescribed due to the fact that allergy is an “immune system disease,” that is, increased sensitization, excessive sensitivity to foreign agents (allergens), in response to which an allergic reaction develops.

Snoring is also often caused by inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx, pharynx, respiratory tract, fluid accumulation, congestion, colds, excessive mucus accumulation. All this can be treated by an otolaryngologist, pulmonologist. A consultation with a phthisiatrician may be required. If a person has enlarged tonsils, sinusitis, adenoids, they can also cause snoring. They can be removed by seeking help from a surgeon.

Sometimes it happens that snoring is a consequence of a nervous reaction, overwork, stress. In this case, a consultation with a neurologist, neuropathologist, psychiatrist may be required. If you suspect the development of malignant neoplasms that block the entrance to the respiratory tract and cause snoring, you should consult a surgeon or oncologist.

Sometimes you need to consult a dentist, an orthopedic dentist, since snoring can be caused by dental diseases, abnormal jaw structure, jaw structure disorder, gums, and abnormal tooth growth. Often wisdom teeth, which grow in a person at 20-25 years old, transform the jaw and change the dental formula, resulting in snoring.

Snoring can also develop if the normal functioning of the kidneys, liver, urinary system, and sometimes the digestive system is disrupted. In particular, renal edema, obesity, can become a very real cause of snoring. People with obesity, excess body weight also often snore. This also includes patients with metabolic disorders, atherosclerosis, diabetes, hormonal imbalances. In this case, it is worth consulting an endocrinologist. Hormonal therapy may be required, which will normalize the body's condition and eliminate snoring.

Which doctor treats snoring in men?

There is no specific doctor who would treat snoring. But with such a complaint, you should first contact an otolaryngologist (ENT). He will conduct an examination and, if necessary, prescribe additional specialist consultations. Usually, the treatment is prescribed by an ENT, since in most cases the cause is precisely the pathology of the nasopharynx, pharynx or nasal sinuses.

Often, an additional consultation with an allergist and immunologist is prescribed, since the cause of the pathology is an allergic reaction, edema. A consultation with a urologist, nephrologist, oddly enough, may also be required, since snoring is often a consequence of renal edema and dysfunction of the kidneys and urinary tract. Even a consultation with a cardiologist may be required if there is a suspicion of damage to the heart and blood vessels, which can also lead to the development of edema, a decrease in the tone of the larynx.

They may refer you to a pulmonologist or phthisiologist if lung or bronchial diseases are suspected. In case of injuries to the nose or head, a traumatologist may be required. In case of dental diseases or changes in the jaw structure, you should contact a dentist or orthodontist, since pathologies of the dental and jaw system can also cause snoring. A surgeon's consultation is often required, especially if there are tumors, polyps, or adenoids in the nasal cavity or larynx.

Sometimes, with nervous reactions, stress, fatigue, you should contact a neurologist, neuropathologist, psychotherapist, psychiatrist. You can contact a therapist, and he will refer you to the right specialist.

What to do?

It is better not to self-medicate. But you can’t ignore this problem either, since it can have quite serious consequences. You need to see a doctor, get diagnosed. It is best to see an ENT specialist or a therapist. If necessary, additional examinations and consultations with other specialists will be prescribed. Then the necessary treatment will be prescribed. You must strictly follow all recommendations. [ 24 ], [ 25 ]

Effective remedies for snoring in men

There are various medications that claim to make breathing easier at night, for example by affecting the muscles in the airways. Since no medication has been proven to help reduce snoring during sleep, they are not currently used as part of the main treatment. However, these medications may be used to treat certain conditions that may cause snoring during sleep or worsen existing apnea. [ 26 ]

Menthol lozenges can be used for snoring. Cough lozenges from well-known manufacturers are also suitable. They help to normalize the condition of the mucous membranes, eliminate swelling, hyperemia, and also allow you to tone the walls of the respiratory tract. Take one tablet at night, before bed. If snoring occurs at night and you wake up from it, you can take another tablet. They should be sucked, not chewed. It is important not to fall asleep with a tablet in your mouth, and not to choke.

Corvalol can also be used for snoring - about 15-20 drops before bedtime. This remedy dilates blood vessels, increases tone, and increases heart rate. Accordingly, snoring decreases.

You can take acetylsalicylic acid, as it thins the secretion and normalizes the condition of the mucous membrane. The only precaution is that the drug should not be taken by people who have a tendency to bleeding, as this drug thins the blood. It is recommended to take one tablet twice a day.

If the cause of snoring is allergic edema, you can take suprastin. It is recommended to undergo a course of treatment - 1 tablet (150 mg) once a day for 5-7 days. It should be taken into account that the drug causes drowsiness, reduces concentration. Therefore, people whose work requires high concentration should take it with caution. You also need to be careful while driving. In the first days, the condition may worsen, and snoring will increase. But this will soon pass, you should not stop treatment. This is due to a side effect - drowsiness and lethargy, which occurs while taking the drug. This leads to additional relaxation of the already relaxed airways. But after the end of the course of treatment, the condition returns to normal. The swelling is removed, and the snoring goes away.

Vitamins

It is recommended to take vitamins in the following daily concentrations:

• Vitamin B 2-3 mg
• Vitamin D – 1000 mg
• Vitamin PP – 60 mg
• Vitamin A – 240 mg
• Vitamin E – 45 mg
• Vitamin C – 1000 mg. [ 27 ]

Physiotherapy treatment

Inhalations, heat treatments, some electrical procedures, UFV - warming up the oral cavity with ultraviolet spectrum may be required. Various methods of combating snoring are also used. Special devices can also be used, for example, anti-snoring pacifiers, special nasal dilators. [ 28 ], [ 29 ] In case of frequent and prolonged respiratory arrests, an oxygen mask is used. An oxygen cocktail replenishes the oxygen deficiency in the lungs well.

Surgical treatment

It is used in severe conditions, which are accompanied by frequent apnea, risk of suffocation and respiratory arrest. Surgical methods are also used if other methods do not have the desired effect. Operations are also performed according to indications, for example, in the presence of polyps, tumors, adenoids, and other pathologies. Septoplasty (correction of the nasal septum), laser surgery to remove polyps, neoplasms may also be required. With enlarged and inflamed tonsils, tonsillectomy may be required. Specific operations performed on the pharynx, soft palate are also quite effective: uvulotomy, uvulolatoplasty. Traditional surgical methods are also used, for example, laser surgery, radiosurgery. [ 30 ], [ 31 ], [ 32 ], [ 33 ]

Home Treatment for Snoring in Men

Treatment at home should be based on various measures aimed at increasing the tone of the larynx. To do this, it is necessary to eliminate vitamin deficiency and mineral deficiency in the body, normalize metabolic processes. Let's consider the main complexes that can help with this. So. First of all, drugs containing iron are important. Iron is present in the blood in red blood cells - erythrocytes. They are used to maintain tonic processes and prevent anemia, hypoxia, hypercapnia (a consequence of apnea). To improve absorption, it should be combined with vitamin C. Also important are drugs containing potassium and magnesium, vitamin D, [ 34 ] A, C.

Gymnastics for snoring in men

To combat snoring, it is recommended to perform various breathing exercises.

The essence of the technique is the need to consistently breathe through all the respiratory channels. So, first you need to sit up straight, folding your legs in a lotus, or crossing them in front of you. We begin to breathe evenly, making a uniform inhalation and exhalation. The duration of the inhalation should be equal to the duration of the exhalation. We begin breathing with 3 seconds, gradually increase to 6, then to 9 seconds. We do this for 3 minutes.

Then we move on to the second exercise - close the right nostril. Inhale through the left nostril, then hold the breath, then exhale (also through the left nostril). Each exercise is performed for 3 minutes.

Then we move on to the next exercise - close the left nostril. Inhale, hold the breath, exhale also through the left nostril.

The next exercise is to inhale through the right nostril, then hold your breath, and exhale through the opposite side (left). The second part of this exercise is similar, only we change nostrils. Inhale through the left nostril, after holding, exhale through the right side.

Then breathing is done through both nostrils. So, inhalation is done through both nostrils. On exhalation, imagine that the air passes through the central channel (passes through the entire spine, and comes out).

After completing the entire complex, close your eyes and place your hands on your knees. Relax and try to feel all the changes that have occurred in your body. Listen to your sensations. [ 35 ]

Folk remedies for snoring in men

• Recipe No. 1.

Relaxing baths before bed have proven themselves well, they will help relieve tension from tense areas, restore tone to relaxed areas. Decoctions are added to the bath. Rapeseed oil or any other fatty base is used as a base for preparing a decoction for medicinal baths. It is heated to a warm state. It is better to use a water bath. 2 ml of concentrated extracts of the following plant components are poured into the resulting oil: calendula, wormwood. Also add 40 pieces of cloves. 2 tablespoons of the mixture are added to the bath at a rate of 300 liters (a full bath).

• Recipe No. 2.

Take any body cream. It is better to take a natural cream, without added impurities, flavors, dyes. Even baby cream will do. Add a tablespoon of water or alcohol infusions of onion peel, decoction of parsley leaves, infusion of rue, oregano, mugwort. You can add 1 ml of water infusion of hemp tops. Mix everything until smooth, use for massage and rubbing. You can also lubricate the maxillary sinuses and nasal septum with this cream.

• Recipe No. 3.

For general strengthening of the body, a balm is used. It is prepared on the basis of cognac. For preparation, take 2 tablespoons of a decoction of baskets of flowering sunflower, finely chopped hay and hay dust, onion peel. Pour in cognac, insist for at least a day. Drink 10 grams per day.

Herbal treatment

A decoction of rose petals is a good tonic, used for various inflammatory and infectious diseases, atony. Increases not only tone, but also the overall resistance of the body. A tablespoon of petals is poured with a glass of boiling water, brought to a boil. Infuse for an hour, then filter and drink half a glass 2-3 times a day.

A decoction of marigolds (calendula) is used as an anti-edematous, anti-inflammatory agent. To prepare, take 2-3 tablespoons of marigolds per glass of boiling water. I drink 50 grams per day.

Infusion of Siberian elder flowers is used to tone muscles. To prepare, 3-4 tablespoons of flowers are poured with 500 ml of vodka or pure alcohol, then infused for a day, and drunk one tablespoon three times a day.

Homeopathy

They are used to maintain the necessary muscle tone, to prevent narrowing of the airway walls. They are used for various pathologies, both accompanied by pain and painless. They also quite effectively eliminate the effects of congestion, scars, and postoperative conditions. They should be used with caution and in compliance with safety precautions. The main measure comes down to the need to consult a doctor, follow his recommendations, and avoid self-medication. This will optimize treatment, avoid complications and side effects. It should be remembered that the main side effects when taking homeopathy are deterioration of the condition, as well as dizziness, headache, increased heart rate, feeling of heat, increased sweating and salivation. The load on the kidneys, heart, and liver also increases significantly.

• Recipe No. 1.

To prepare an ointment applied to the nasal septum, lip area, and nasolabial triangle, use lard as a base, melt it in a water bath or over low heat until dissolved, stirring constantly.

Add 2 tablespoons of anise, blueberry, and sage to the resulting mixture. Mix everything until a uniform consistency is formed. Remove from heat and allow to set. Apply a thin layer and rub in until completely absorbed. Store in the refrigerator (on the bottom shelf).

• Recipe No. 2.

As a base for making the cream, take about 100 grams of butter. Melt it all until liquid butter is formed. Prepare a mixture of the following plant components in advance in a fireproof dish: sage, chamomile flowers, love herb, plantain leaf (at a rate of about 2 tablespoons of each herb per 130 ml of oil). Heat the oil over low heat (without bringing it to a boil). As soon as the oil has heated up enough, but has not yet boiled, remove it from the heat and pour in the previously prepared herbs. Stir, cover with a lid on top, and leave in a dark place for 24 hours (at room temperature). After that, the oil is ready for use.

• Recipe No. 3.

Camphor oil is used as a base. Mix. Add 2 drops of the following essential oils to the resulting mixture: violet flower oil, sundew, aloe leaf syrup, willow bark decoction. Mix thoroughly and use during massage. [ 36 ]

• Recipe No. 4.

Also, when muscle tone decreases, it is recommended to perform inhalations with a decoction of eucapyptus leaves [ 37 ], peppermint, thyme, pine buds, elecampane roots in a ratio of 1:1:2:3:1. To perform inhalations, the decoction is poured into a basin. Heat it to such a state that steam comes out, but does not burn. The temperature should be comfortable. Then bend over the basin, cover yourself with a towel on top, inhale the steam. The duration of the procedure is no more than 10-15 minutes. [ 38 ]

Prevention

It is important to eat right, include the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals in the diet, regularly undergo preventive examinations, and, if necessary, undergo timely treatment. In addition, if you are prone to congenital, genetically determined tone disorders, it is important to use physiotherapy methods, special gymnastics, and massage. It is undesirable to sleep on your back; try to take a lateral position during sleep.

[ 39 ]

Forecast

Only a doctor can make an accurate prognosis, since it is important to know the cause of the pathology. Snoring in men can be eliminated only if its cause has been eliminated. If the pathology cannot be cured, it causes discomfort to both the person and his environment. Serious consequences, including fatal ones, are rare. But nocturnal apnea (breathing arrest) can be dangerous.