SNORING
Snoring used to be regarded as a funny subject and a worry only to the person who had to sleep in the same room.
However it may be due to nasal obstruction forcing the sleeper to breath through his mouth. The noise is produced by the soft palate vibrating with each breath. This mechanical cause is more likely when the sleeper lies on his back.
One way of making the snorer sleep on his side rather than the back is for his spouse to nudge him firmly in the ribs.
Another way is to sew a pocket into the back of the pyjama coat and place a ball or stone in the pocket.
Each time he rolls on to his back the discomfort makes him turn back onto his side. Another suggested method is to wear a thick supporting collar around the neck, like those used to immobilise the neck following injury. Such a collar prevents the chin falling down on to the chest and keeps the head tilted back and, so the theory goes, keeps the windpipe open.
But snoring may have its more sinister side. It may be evidence of what is now called sleep apnoea. In this condition the sleepers, usually overweight middle-aged males, have frequent periods during sleep when they stop breathing.
The snoring occurs when they start again. These lapses of breathing may occur hundreds of times a night and greatly interfere with sleep. The sufferers may complain of insomnia and usually wake unrefreshed. They are also subject to severe daytime sleepiness.
These episodes of apnoea or cessation of breathing leading to inadequate oxygen intake are thought in some cases to be dangerous to the heart. So far there is no effective treatment beyond a tracheotomy, or a permanent hole pierced in the windpipe.
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Tags: General health