Have you ever found yourself jolted awake by the sound of your partners
snoring? You lay there and nudge them until they themselves become aware
of their disturbance. In many cases it has caused for problematic marriages,
and couples sleeping in separate rooms. We all know how precious sleep
is and being woken up night after night from unbearable snoring may have
a more serious underlying medical cause then we think.
Snoring is caused by a narrowing, or blockage of the airway towards the
back of the mouth and upper portion of the throat. There are many factors
that can cause the throat to narrow including: relaxation of upper airway
muscles, allergies, sinuses, and obesity. If you snore on a regular basis,
it may be an indicator that you suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea during sleep, usually snoring is accompanied by kicking, flailing and
body spasms leaving you feeling disoriented when waking.
Although not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, try these self-help exercises
to aid in more restful sleep:
- Exercise regularly to develop good muscle tone
- Avoid alcohol and smoking within four hours of bed time
- Sleep on your side rather than your back
- Raise the head of your bed (not your pillow) four inches
If you try some of these tips and still find yourself in restless sleep
night after night, you may want to contact your doctor to schedule a visit.
For more information on sleep disorders contact the Sleep Center at 410.641.9726.