Snoring in sleep in women, men and children

A snoring person is a scourge for those around him, especially those living under the same roof. A heroic snore (medical term – snoring) can wake up even those sleeping in the next room, especially in our not very large apartments.

People get angry at snorers, they make fun of them, but they usually don’t attach much importance to it. And in vain! Snoring in sleep is often a warning that you need to pay attention to the health of the snoring person, since such a feature can be a harbinger of the development of a life-threatening syndrome and sudden death during a night’s rest. [ 1 ]

Why is snoring dangerous during sleep?

This sound phenomenon almost always bothers people living side by side with the "snorer" much more, since it does not allow them to get a good night's sleep. They try to turn the snorer on his side, push him, put pillows under his head, but usually such measures do not bring relief. The person sleeps soundly, mumbles something, sometimes obeys and turns, but literally a few minutes later a powerful snore is heard again. For those around this is fraught with lack of sleep, but for the snorer himself, who seems to sleep in an annoyingly deep sleep, it can even turn into death.

Heroic snoring is one of the main symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (obstructio, Latin - obstacle, in our case - to the flow of air). The danger of this condition lies in the high probability of a complete and sufficiently long cessation of the respiratory system for fatal respiratory arrest in a sleeping person. [ 2 ]

It is not snoring itself that kills, it simply indicates the possibility of apnea, which also often leads not to immediate death, but to the development of oxygen starvation of organs and tissues, the consequence of which can be hypertension, dysfunction of the myocardium and cerebral vessels, and pathological changes in other organs. [ 3 ]

Epidemiology

Statistics show that on average 20% of the world's population over the age of thirty constantly snore in their sleep. With age, the number of people who snore in their sleep increases. Of the three elderly people, only one does not snore, and almost all snorers over the age of 65 have night apnea with varying frequency. [ 4 ]

According to medical statistics, on average, five to seven percent of the world's population aged 30 and older suffers from sleep apnea (still fewer than those who snore). No more than two percent of them have a severe form of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. [ 5 ]

Women are generally less susceptible to this respiratory pathology than men, but this also applies to the childbearing age. According to some data, among the elderly, the number of snoring men and women is approximately the same. [ 6 ]

Causes snoring in your sleep

Vibrating movements of the soft tissues of the larynx and nasopharynx caused by the flow of inhaled air, accompanied by a rattling sound of low frequency and varying intensity, can occur in a sleeping person under the influence of various factors. This is facilitated by an uncomfortable position in which a person fell asleep, for example, on his back with his head thrown back, a runny nose, the presence of inflammation of the respiratory organs. These are temporary causes - when changing the position or after recovery, a person stops snoring.

When a person is awake, he does not snore, therefore sleep and relaxation at this time of the muscle fibers of the upper respiratory tract, in particular, the soft palate, is the main etiological factor in the appearance of snoring, since all other features - anatomical and physiological, are present constantly. The source of the emitted sound is the vibration of relaxed soft tissues, "trembling" when the air flow passes through the lumen of the respiratory tract.

Chronic snorers most often have anatomical abnormalities in the structure of the nasopharynx, leading to narrowing of the respiratory tract. These include deformation of the nasal septum, genetically determined narrow nasal passages and pharyngeal ring, underdevelopment of the upper or lower jaw, a longer than usual uvula. The presence of inflammatory and hyperplastic processes - chronic rhinitis, tonsillitis, adenoiditis, polyposis also creates an obstacle to air flow, and nocturnal snoring occurs.

People who are significantly overweight often snore because fat deposits contribute to pressure from the outside of the upper airway.

In addition, there are functional factors that contribute to snoring. Narrowing of the upper respiratory tract and relaxation of its muscles are facilitated by such risk factors as severe fatigue and lack of sleep, dry air in the bedroom, alcohol intoxication, smoking, overeating immediately before bedtime, taking sleeping pills, pituitary insufficiency, hypothyroidism, diabetes, neuromuscular diseases. It has long been noted that among people who snore, in general, there are more male representatives. They smoke more often, drink, overeat at night, get punched in the nose in fights, and excess kilograms accumulate in the neck area. But with age, gender differences smooth out and women catch up with the opposite sex. Why do women snore? What is this connected with? It turns out, with the content of estrogens. These hormones maintain muscle elasticity, so young women snore less often. And with their deficiency, associated with the onset of age-related changes in the female body, the muscles lose their tone, including the nasopharyngeal muscles, which leads to the emergence of this sound phenomenon when the patient falls asleep. [ 7 ]

Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of snoring is associated with the muscle relaxant effect of sleep. In addition, disturbances in the structure of the respiratory organs lead to the fact that the pharyngeal muscles are unable to maintain sufficient lumen of its cavity at the moment of inhalation, when negative intracavitary pressure is created. The lumen of the upper respiratory tract narrows, partially blocking them, which leads to an increase in the local air flow velocity, the appearance of a rattling sound, vibration of relaxed tissues and snoring. [ 8 ]

During sleep, a snoring person may experience such a dangerous complication of snoring as apnea (cessation of pulmonary ventilation). During this period, the person's muscle tone is increasingly reduced, due to which the walls of the pharynx become mobile. At the moment of one of the inhalations, the airways completely collapse (block) and the lungs stop working. Acute hypoxia is a stress factor for the body, it does not stop and even increases respiratory efforts. The sympathoadrenal system is activated, which leads to an increase in blood pressure in the arteries. Eventually, SOS signals from all organs experiencing hypoxia activate the brain, which restores the muscle tone of the pharynx and the lumen of the respiratory tract opens. It is at this moment that the sleeper, snoring loudly, inhales air deeply several times. The oxygen level in the organs and tissues returns to normal, the brain, having fulfilled its mission, falls asleep again. During sleep, a patient can experience up to 400-500 such respiratory arrests. [ 9 ]

Symptoms snoring in your sleep

The first signs of snoring are determined by hearing. If a person snores, he will be quickly informed about it by people living with him or those who happened to spend the night with him in the same room.

Snoring itself is not a diagnosis, but it can suggest the direction of search during examination. This sound phenomenon is a symptom of various pathologies of the respiratory system, the greatest danger is constant loud snoring during sleep, since this is the main symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. It is not difficult to establish the presence of the syndrome, you need to observe the sleeping person. He will begin to snore immediately after falling asleep. Quite soon, breathing will suddenly stop, the usual noises accompanying the breathing process will no longer be heard. Snoring and holding will stop, breathing will stop for about a quarter to half a minute. All this time, in the absence of respiratory noises, the patient will have respiratory efforts, which will be noticeable by frequent gusty up and down movements in the chest and peritoneum. Then the sleeping person snores noisily and begins to breathe deeply and strongly, then calms down and snores evenly again. Such a person sleeps very restlessly - constantly changes body position, can talk in his sleep. The patient cannot get a good night's sleep, his sleep is fragmented due to frequent partial awakenings during moments of respiratory arrest, which the patient does not remember, however, they do not allow him to get enough sleep. Therefore, he does not feel cheerful during the day, weakness and drowsiness are typical, such patients often accidentally fall asleep during the day, and at night they can suffer from insomnia.

A patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is easy to recognize by his appearance. He is an overweight person with a puffy face that has a red or purple-blue tint, the whites of his eyes are “decorated” with a noticeable network of vessels, and his voice is usually hoarse. Patients with the syndrome wake up several times at night to empty their bladder. At night, in addition to snoring, they experience shortness of breath, belching, sweating, and frequent awakenings. In the morning, such a person feels exhausted and sleep-deprived. He often wakes up with a headache and high blood pressure. In such patients, it is generally higher in the morning than in the evening.

Risk factors that increase the likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea and complicate the manifestations of the syndrome are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary heart disease, and respiratory failure. Such patients usually snore and cough during sleep.

Night and morning attacks of high blood pressure, a body weight index of 35 or more, decreased thyroid function, and metabolic disorders should be cause for concern.

Patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome are usually irritable, apathetic and depressed, and may fall asleep in any inappropriate places, breaking out into snoring.

Snoring and coughing during sleep can be a symptom of an acute respiratory disease (bronchitis, tracheitis, laryngitis) in people of any age, especially if they have not snored before. This temporary phenomenon usually goes away after the disease is cured.

Such a symptom as a sore throat and snoring during sleep can accompany chronic tonsillitis, adenoiditis, angina, acute respiratory infection and other inflammatory diseases of the structures located near the nasopharynx. Edema of the inflamed organs contributes to the narrowing of the lumen of the respiratory tract and causes snoring during sleep in adults and children.

If the disease has passed, but the person has not stopped snoring, it is necessary to be examined by an otolaryngologist. The consequences of frequent respiratory infectious diseases are polyposis, chronic tonsillitis and adenoiditis. [ 10 ] Neoplasms and proliferation of tonsils also contribute to the narrowing of the lumen of the respiratory tract and the occurrence of a sound phenomenon during night sleep, when the muscles of the respiratory tract are in a relaxed state.

Snoring in women is manifested and caused by the same reasons, except for the lack of estrogens in menopause, artificial or natural, as snoring in men. The main symptom is the appearance of a rattling sound during night sleep, accompanying breathing. Snoring may be accompanied by hypertension, shortness of breath, headache and a state of exhaustion in the morning, difficulty falling asleep and pronounced drowsiness during the day. If such symptoms appear, it is advisable to consult a doctor without putting it off "for later". Since there can be many reasons causing snoring, and the consequences of a "harmless" sound that irritates loved ones at night can be fatal. It is advisable to get rid of this feature.

As a rule, adults snore, especially the elderly. Children sleep quietly, and if a child snores in his sleep, he should be taken to see a pediatric otolaryngologist. Such a sound may indicate that the child has polyps, enlarged tonsils or adenoids. He may have hit his nose, and his nasal septum may have become deviated.

Snoring in a baby during sleep may indicate congenital anatomical anomalies in the development of the upper respiratory tract or jaw structures. It is necessary to show the child to a doctor, because the developmental anomalies themselves will not go away, and the child's condition may worsen with age. Sometimes conservative measures are enough to eliminate minor defects.

Snoring in a child during sleep during a cold is a completely natural phenomenon. A swollen nasopharynx contributes to the appearance of extraneous sounds during muscle relaxation induced by sleep. Usually, after recovery, the child stops snoring and breathes quietly during sleep. [ 11 ]

However, if snoring in a child's sleep persists after an acute respiratory viral infection, it is worth showing the child to a doctor. The viral infection may be complicated by inflammation of the tonsils, chronic rhinitis, polyps may have grown, and sleep apnea syndrome can also occur in children. Snoring after an acute respiratory viral infection does not indicate the development of a specific pathology; in order to take any measures, it is necessary to examine the child.

Symptoms such as: a child has a fever and snores in his sleep, are also characteristic of various acute respiratory diseases. This can be the beginning of flu, tonsillitis, bronchitis, infectious mononucleosis. A doctor should be called to a child with a fever, even if he does not snore, but the presence of snoring suggests that the temperature is caused by a respiratory pathology.

Depending on the stage, snoring is divided into the following types:

• primary snoring is the most harmless form, does not lead to regular sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness, with this form there is no oxygen starvation induced by sleep, and it does not cause any inconvenience to the snorer himself, only to his immediate environment (at this stage, it is easiest to cope with the pathological feature by eliminating the cause - perhaps there was a nasal injury, polyps have grown, etc.); [ 12 ]
• syndrome of increased resistance of the upper respiratory tract - the pathogenesis of the occurrence of airflow obstruction is identical to the syndrome of obstructive sleep apnea, however, does not reach its height. They are distinguished by the severity of symptoms and the severity of clinical consequences for the patient, such as the development of hypertension, persistent sleep disorders and organ failure as a result of regular oxygen starvation. [ 13 ]

Complications and consequences

Even primary snoring, not accompanied by respiratory arrest, can be complicated by multiple episodes of micro-awakenings, which the patient himself will not remember, but the normal course of sleep will be disrupted. Its deep phases, when complete muscle relaxation occurs and blood pressure decreases, will not be achieved, and accordingly, during the day the person will feel exhausted and not rested. Morning awakenings with a headache, rapid heartbeat do not contribute to a good and productive mood.

Is it possible to die from snoring in your sleep? Not from the sound, but from breathing arrest. Snoring is just a symptom of sleep apnea syndrome. But this is the most dangerous consequence of ignoring it. In some patients, the total duration of the oxygen-free period during the night can be about four hours. Perhaps not so many snorers suffer from severe forms of the syndrome, which can lead to death. But if breathing arrests occur during sleep, then it is impossible to predict the probability of a fatal outcome in advance. Moreover, the consequences of constant oxygen starvation that the body experiences also lead to the development of hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia and insufficiency, chronic cerebrovascular disease, erythrocytosis. The presence of these pathologies increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke several times, which can also significantly reduce the quality of life and lead to premature death. [ 14 ]

Increased resistance of the upper respiratory tract, manifested by constant snoring, negatively affects the secretion of hormones, reducing erectile function, increasing the risk of obesity. [ 15 ] Inadequate night sleep affects concentration and increases the risk of injury in work that requires maximum concentration.

Constant lack of sleep and fatigue leads to people trying to get enough sleep by taking sleeping pills or drinking a glass before bed, which contributes to even greater muscle relaxation during sleep and increased snoring. A vicious circle arises, which becomes increasingly difficult to break out of over time.

Diagnostics snoring in your sleep

The purpose of diagnosis is to identify the factors that provoke snoring, and most importantly, the presence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and the degree of its severity.

The patient is prescribed blood tests - general, for glucose content, thyroid hormones, esradiol and others if a specific pathology is suspected. A consultation with various specialists may be required - a cardiologist, neurologist, endocrinologist, pulmonologist, psychotherapist.

Instrumental diagnostics are carried out. Various studies may be prescribed depending on the pathologies detected. The anatomical features of the upper respiratory tract organs are studied using special hardware methods: rhinoscopy, rhinopneumomanometry, radiography of the sinuses and nasal bones, ECHO sinusoscopy, laryngoscopy. Special functional tests are performed. [ 16 ]

A specific, fairly accurate diagnostic that allows one to establish the presence of sleep apnea is polysomnography. The activity of organs and systems is recorded during sleep over a long period of time. The person sleeps, literally entangled in electrodes. [ 17 ]

The following indicators are recorded:

• electrical impulses of the brain using electroencephalography;
• work of the heart muscle (electrocardiography);
• eye movements (electrooculography);
• chin muscle tone (electromyography);
• air flow through the nose and mouth;
• snore;
• respiratory movements of the sternum and abdominal wall;
• blood oxygenation level;
• limb movements and body position.

Modern polysomnography devices allow for video recording of sleep, synchronized with the recorded parameters. This diagnostic procedure allows for assessing not only the quality of sleep and detecting respiratory arrest, but also for determining risks from the nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. [ 18 ]

The study of the respiratory function of a sleeping person can be carried out using computer monitoring pulsometry - long-term recording of the frequency and rhythm of heart contractions and oxygenation of the body. Signals are recorded with a computer at intervals of up to one second, their further processing allows us to analyze the parameters of blood oxygen saturation, to identify periods of interruptions in its supply to the body. Quantitative assessment of the frequency of cessation of oxygen supply (desaturation) makes it possible to identify the frequency of episodes of respiratory arrest.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics is carried out after all necessary studies and consultations with related specialists. The degree of risk of respiratory arrest, the presence of concomitant pathologies and treatment tactics are determined - some can be helped by conservative measures, others require surgical correction. The approach to eliminating this problem is strictly individual.

Treatment snoring in your sleep

So, we have found out that a snorer's quality of life deteriorates due to constant lack of sleep, and vital organs suffer from oxygen starvation. Constant snoring not only brings inconvenience to loved ones, it is dangerous for the source of the annoying sounds. This feature needs to be eliminated. What to do?

There are proven methods of combating snoring that lead to an improvement in the condition, but their implementation will require the patient to make some effort, change their lifestyle and habits.

1. First of all, it is recommended to lose weight. Statistics show that people who lose a tenth of their previous kilograms have their respiratory function parameters doubled.
2. At the same time, it is necessary to limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages, or better yet, simply stop drinking them, at least until noticeable results are achieved. Limiting is a very vague concept, even a small portion of alcohol drunk in the evening will be enough for additional muscle relaxation during sleep.
3. Along with giving up alcohol, it is recommended to quit smoking.
4. And stop taking sleeping pills/sedatives.
5. In addition, you need to watch the position in which you fall asleep. It is recommended to sleep only on your side, ensuring that your upper body is elevated, for example, put a piece of furniture board under your mattress and raise it under your head by 10-15 cm, placing appropriate blocks underneath. In addition, use an orthopedic pillow. Such measures will not only improve breathing, but also prevent belching, which often accompanies snoring.
6. Try to breathe through your nose, using all means for this. In case of a cold – rinse with sea water, nasal drops. If breathing difficulties are associated with damage to the nose, neoplasms or inflammation, it is necessary to consult a doctor about their elimination.
7. Use a humidifier in the bedroom, as dry air dries out the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and contributes to snoring.
8. Use anti-snoring devices.

• adhesive strips that expand the nasal passages (their disadvantages are that they are disposable, quite expensive, and leave marks on the nose);
• plastic nasal dilators (disadvantages - create a certain discomfort from the presence of a foreign body in the nose, but you can get used to it; advantages - reusable, improve respiratory functions, do not leave marks);
• anti-snoring nipples that fix the position of the tongue and create a slight tension in the pharyngeal muscles;
• anti-snoring devices that recognize the sound of snoring and force the sleeper to change body position by transmitting electrical impulses, for example, SnorePro SP-600 is worn on the hand like a watch and, at a set noise level, acts as a mini-electric shocker, forcing the person to change body position without waking up (contraindicated in cases of dermatitis, dermatoses, severe heart disease, and expectant mothers);
• The Extra-Lor oral device, through mechanical action, forces the pharyngeal muscles to tense up during sleep, preventing their vibration (contraindicated in case of structural defects and nasal congestion; before using at night, it is recommended to practice using the device during the day).

While strips and dilators can only help in cases of essential snoring, devices can also help in mild stages of sleep apnea.

A fairly effective and modern means of combating snoring at the height of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is hardware additional ventilation of the lungs of a sleeping person using a device with a compressor that creates constant positive pressure by supplying air flow through an elastic tube and a mask attached to the nose (CPAP therapy). The effect is achieved immediately. In severe cases of sleep apnea, the device is used every night, in milder forms - periodically. A sleep mask for snoring during sleep is available in a variety of variations. You can choose the most convenient for yourself. All masks are universal and fit the compressor device. There are no absolute contraindications to the procedure, but in severe respiratory and cardiac pathologies, frequent nosebleeds, infectious eye diseases, the device is used under the supervision of medical personnel. [ 19 ]

However, for uncomplicated snoring, CPAP therapy is not recommended; the devices described above or pharmacological agents for snoring during sleep, available in the form of a spray, drops or tablets, are used. [ 20 ]

Asonor spray is positioned by manufacturers as an effective and safe drug that can be used even by pregnant women. It does not have a systemic effect, lubricates, moisturizes the epithelium of the larynx and has a tonic effect on the pharyngeal muscles, preventing narrowing of the lumen of the respiratory tract, facilitating the free passage of air flow. The solution contains: polysorbate 80 - a surfactant based on olive oil, glycerin 85% - a well-known emollient, sodium chloride - table salt, sodium edetate - a detoxifier, purified water, potassium sorbate 0.15% - a safe natural preservative.

The drug is sprayed into each nasal canal four to six times until it is felt in the throat. The procedure is carried out once a day just before bedtime after the last meal and evening toilet. The effect should be felt immediately, however, for some it occurs within the first two weeks. If after this time the spray has not worked, you should consult a doctor, since other means are needed for inflammatory processes, anatomical defects and obstructive apnea syndrome.

Slipex spray contains wintergreen and peppermint oils, eucalyptol and menthol, as well as glycerin, purified water and other excipients. The active ingredients of the drug tone the muscles of the pharynx, moisturize the mucous membrane and prevent the occurrence of snoring, in addition, they provide anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic action, moderate local anesthesia and a disinfecting effect. Can be used for inflammatory processes of the upper respiratory tract. Suitable for long-term use. Treat the back of the pharynx, pressing the dispenser twice or three times, before bedtime. After treatment - do not eat, drink or brush your teeth. All this must be done in advance. Ineffective for organic pathologies and sleep apnea syndrome.

Snoresan spray is also recommended as a remedy for snoring. It contains only natural ingredients: oils - olive, sunflower, sesame, almond, essential - mint, sage, eucalyptus, glycerin. All these components moisturize the mucous membrane of the pharynx, promote its sanitation, eliminate catarrhal symptoms and increase the protective reaction to the penetration of various microbes with the air flow. The spray contains vitamins E (a powerful antioxidant) and B6 - stabilizing the nervous system, improving the process of falling asleep and the quality of sleep. The spray, through its complex action, increases the tone of the muscles of the upper respiratory tract, helps to reduce and often eliminate vibration of the muscles of the larynx and the sound emitted by this, normalizes the acid-base balance of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. Intended for long-term use. Spray it immediately before bedtime after eating and evening oral hygiene, spraying the back wall of the palate three times.

All of the above products can cause allergic reactions to their components, so before using them according to the instructions, you can test them by applying a small amount of solution to the inside of your cheek.

Naturally, in the treatment of snoring, the treatment of diseases that contribute to the development of such a sleep feature is of great importance. In case of hypothyroidism, replacement therapy with levothyroxine is prescribed, diabetes mellitus is also compensated with the help of appropriate means depending on the type, inflammation of the respiratory organs is eliminated and anatomical features are corrected.

Physiotherapeutic treatment is used for chronic inflammation of the tonsils, pharyngitis, and rhinitis. In otolaryngology, almost all types of effects are used: electrical and magnetic, thermal and light.

Directly in case of snoring, in combination with weight correction, lifestyle and nutrition, body position during sleep, simple exercises for strengthening the nasopharyngeal muscles have proven themselves well. Regular performance of them brings the first results within ten days.

There are only three most effective ones:

• extend your tongue out of your mouth as far as possible and hold for two seconds, trying to touch your chin with the tip - straight, left and right, ten times in each direction (you should feel tension at the base of your tongue);
• sing the sound "i" in all possible ways, whenever and wherever you want;
• Clamp a pen or pencil in your teeth and hold it there for about five minutes, periodically tensing and relaxing all the muscles involved.

Additionally, you can move your lower jaw back and forth, resisting the movement with your hand. Do 30 movement cycles twice a day.

Acupuncture massage, yoga, and qigong practices can help with snoring. Changing your lifestyle, improving your body, and controlling its functions give very quick and positive results when done with a positive attitude. You can get rid of this harmful feature without resorting to any other means. Learn to enjoy actions aimed at self-improvement.

Folk remedies for snoring in sleep

A tennis ball fixed between the snorer's shoulder blades can prevent a change in position during sleep. It will prevent the snorer from rolling over onto his back and will prevent the soft tissues of the throat from sinking in.

If you have problems with nasal breathing due to a runny nose, before going to bed you can rinse your nasal passages with a solution of sea salt, soda, or homemade sea water.

To facilitate nasal breathing, it is recommended to put one to three drops of sea buckthorn oil into each nostril.

You can gargle with olive oil at night, for a long time, until the oil becomes lighter. You only need a little bit of it - one tablespoon.

Drink white cabbage juice with honey before bed, literally two or three sips. It has an effect no worse than pharmacy sprays. After drinking, you cannot eat, drink or brush your teeth.

You can make a smoothie in a blender from an apple, carrot, a quarter of a lemon, and a small ginger root. The apple and carrot should be large, otherwise you need to take two units of each fruit. The mixture can be diluted with water or drunk undiluted two to three hours before bed. Such a vitamin fresh will saturate the body with vitamins and improve the condition of the nasopharynx, eliminating primary snoring.

In the presence of chronic inflammation of the respiratory organs, herbal treatment is used. They are infused and boiled, then inhaled, rinsed, and drunk according to schemes. Different herbs are used, depending on the required action. These are chamomile, calendula, sage, oak bark, horsetail, and meadowsweet.

It is also recommended to simply drink a lot (2-2.5 liters per day) of clean water, and also fast once a week. With this method, snoring disappears quite quickly. At the very least, it will definitely help you lose weight, especially if you do not snack on buns and cakes the next day during therapeutic fasting.

Homeopathy

Snoring and pathologies that cause it respond well to individual homeopathic treatment using constitutional preparations. In this case, it will be possible to get rid of many associated diseases. Homeopathy is unlikely to correct the nasal septum and other surgical pathologies, but polyps, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, chronic rhinitis, vasomotor allergic reactions respond well to homeopathic treatment. With the help of homeopathy, you can quickly recover from tonsillitis, flu, other acute diseases, and prevent the development of complications.

Symptomatic remedies for snoring are Calcium muriaticum, Chamomile, China, Stramonium, Sulfur, and any of them can be prescribed as a constitutional remedy. This is usually the most effective and helps to get rid of many health problems. [ 21 ]

Pharmacy homeopathic preparations can also help cope with primary snoring. For example, Snore Stop tablets. They contain a whole complex of products in homeopathic dilutions. They are intended for long-term use and have virtually no contraindications.

The active ingredients of the drug have the following properties:

Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) is a constitutional remedy for Pickwickian people, used symptomatically in respiratory diseases, and has the ability to normalize muscle tone.

Ephedra vulgaris – normalizes respiratory functions, additionally has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system and neck muscles.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) – catarrhal symptoms, suffocation, venous insufficiency of the nasopharyngeal veins, cough.

Potassium dichromate (Kali bichromicum) – constitutionally can be prescribed to obese people with a thick short neck and a swollen pale face, symptomatically – for sinusitis, viscous sputum, and for deterioration of health in cold weather.

Cat's Marjoram (Teucrium marum) – irritability, insomnia, headache, respiratory problems, dry throat.

Histamine (Histaminum hydrochloricum) – allergic lesions, muscle contractures, dry mucous membranes and urinary disorders.

Nutmeg (Nux vomiсa) – has a beneficial effect on the neuromuscular, digestive and cardiovascular systems.

The complex action of the drug eliminates the causes of uncomplicated snoring. It is not recommended for minors, pregnant and lactating women, patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

The tablets are taken sublingually just before bedtime, one or two tablets every evening. After achieving a noticeable therapeutic effect in the form of a decrease in the intensity of snoring, you can take the tablets every other day. The number of tablets in a single dose depends on body weight: one is intended for patients weighing no more than 72 kg, two for those with more.

In some cases, Angin-Heel, Bronhalis-Heel, Girel can help get rid of snoring if snoring was caused by inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract or their consequences. The drugs activate the body's own defenses and stabilize impaired respiratory functions due to the components included in their composition. They are available in the form of tablets that need to be sucked under the tongue until completely dissolved. For small children, the required dose is ground into powder and diluted with water. The drugs are dosed according to the doctor's prescriptions or the attached instructions.

Other Heel products can also help with snoring caused by certain pathological processes in the body. The products can be combined with each other. Treatment should be prescribed by a doctor familiar with the principles of their action.

Surgical treatment

In some cases, only surgical intervention can help, for example, with defects of the bones or cartilage of the nose, a deviated nasal septum, advanced inflammation of the tonsils that does not respond to conservative treatment, etc.

The most progressive direction is treatment with laser technology. It is even called laser therapy, not surgery, although with the help of a directed stream of laser beams, the "excess" tissues of the elongated uvula, palatine arches, tonsils, and nasal polyps are removed by evaporation. Indications for treatment are severe snoring, caused by poor patency of the respiratory tract. [ 22 ]

Laser correction is not performed on children, patients with anatomically reduced oral cavity and a strong gag reflex, people whose profession is associated with the use of the voice and respiratory tract (musicians playing wind instruments), since temporary changes in the respiratory organs are possible. [ 23 ]

Laser equipment and specialists who are proficient in it are not available in all medical institutions, and the cost of the procedure is quite high. The preferred method at present is also surgery using endoscopic equipment. Classical operations to remove excess tissue using a surgical loop are still often performed. Methods such as cryodestruction (removal of tissue with liquid nitrogen) or thermal destruction are also used to remove visible excess tissue. [ 24 ]

Prevention

Snoring is an undesirable phenomenon both for those around you and for the snorer himself, and even dangerous for him. Therefore, the question arises: how to avoid its occurrence? After all, prevention is easier than cure.

Temporary occurrence of snoring due to severe fatigue, positional discomfort, one-time alcohol and gastronomic excesses do not count. Acute respiratory diseases should be treated at home, and not endured on your feet. This will help to avoid complications and chronicity.

Congenital and traumatic defects, in most cases, can be corrected surgically.

What's left? Weight. This is one of the most important factors. It's easier not to gain it. An active lifestyle, proper nutrition, a positive attitude, certain vocal exercises, the absence of bad habits, in particular - and the use of sleeping pills will help here.

Snoring can appear with age. Older people snore more often, two out of three, however, the one who does not snore, apparently does not suffer from excess weight, most likely does not smoke or drink, etc. The conclusions suggest themselves...

Forecast

Severe forms of sleep apnea affect 1-2% of the snoring population. And in this case, you can fight it - exercises to train the nasopharyngeal muscles can be done by everyone, making an effort to normalize weight, saying goodbye to bad habits will also be useful for everyone. CPAP therapy, after all, is effective and has no contraindications. So snoring in sleep is not a death sentence. Much depends on the person himself.