snoring Archives - Health BeatHealth Beat

Effective Solutions for Snoring

Posted on May 8, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

Snoring is a common occurrence for millions of people while they sleep. Many people might not even realize how often they snore, or that they do so at all. For most, snoring is harmless; however, it can potentially be disruptive for anyone who’s trying to sleep in the same room as someone who snores, depending on how loud or frequent it is. Additionally, snoring can sometimes be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.

If you snore, the first thing you should do is mention it to your doctor to rule out any potentially related medical problems. In certain cases, it can be linked to sleep apnea, which causes you to repeatedly stop and start breathing while you sleep. This can cause you to feel as though you didn’t sleep enough, even if you got a full night’s sleep. People who have sleep apnea also generally snore more loudly than people who do not. Other factors that can contribute to snoring include:

Obesity
Nasal congestion
Alcohol and certain medications
A deviated septum
Pregnancy
Age
Being assigned male at birth
A family history of snoring

If your doctor has ruled out the possibility of a serious underlying medical condition, there are several steps you can take to make your snoring quieter, less frequent, or both. Some of these approaches include:

Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight
Decreasing your consumption of alcoholic beverages
Changing your sleeping position

If any medical issues are contributing to your snoring, talk to your doctor to determine whether these solutions may help you:

Cold and allergy medications
Nasal strips
Mouth guards designed to keep your jaw in its proper position while sleeping

If you’re concerned that your snoring may be a sign of a medical problem, you can receive treatment from the ear, nose, and throat specialists at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7110.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Dr’s Tips- Snoring and Solutions

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Xavia Malcolm

Here is a wake-up call for snorers; did you know that snoring affects approximately 90 million adults living in the United States? “Although snoring is common and many of us have learned to live with it, the truth is snoring is not normal and should not be ignored,” states Dr. Mayank Shukla; sleep specialist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.

Snoring occurs when air flow through the nose or mouth is physically obstructed while sleeping. This can be the result of several factors including nasal congestion, excessive throat and nasal tissue, sleep deprivation or a tongue muscle that has become too relaxed during sleep.

Snoring on occasion does not raise cause for great concern. People who snore occasionally could try the following solutions recommended by Dr. Shukla to help them or their loved ones to get a restful night’s sleep:

Avoid sleeping on your back
Use a humidifier if the air in your room is dry
Adjust your pillows to keep your head elevated
Open nasal passages by using steam , nasal strips or salt water rinse
Reduce consumption of alcohol or other sedatives
Stay hydrated
Get your recommended amount of sleep

However, if you are a frequent snorer, these solutions may not benefit you as there may be serious health conditions such as stroke, heart disease or hypertension connected to your chronic snoring. Dr. Shukla suggests that you consult your physician as soon as possible if you are experiencing the following symptoms:

Frequent waking from sleep
Chronic headaches
Daytime sleepiness
Irritability
Difficulty concentrating
Gasping for air or choking while snoring

These symptoms are commonly associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a disorder which causes a person to stop breathing for short periods of time during sleep. OSA can lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke and in severe cases, death. A sleep study may be required to diagnose OSA.

There are several treatments your doctor may recommend; the most common is a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. Additional methods of treatment may include medication, oral appliances, surgery, or lifestyle adjustments such as losing weight or quitting smoking.

Jamaica Hospital’s state- of-the-art Sleep Center provides several testing options to diagnose and treat sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea. Our staff consists of highly skilled, board-certified sleep specialists and respiratory therapists. We also boast an impressive 2:1 technician patient ratio, which provides our patients with the optimal attention they need during their sleep study. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mayank Shuklah or other sleep specialists at Jamaica Hospital, please call, 718-206-5916.

Why Do We Snore?

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Michael Hinck

hat do half of all Americans do, but very few admit to, partly because they are unaware that they are doing it? The answer is snore.

Snoring occurs when the flow of air is partially obstructed in some way while we sleep. As air flows past relaxed tissue in the throat, the resulting vibrating sound is snoring. Snoring can take place for a variety of reasons, including:

• The anatomy of your mouth – Having an elongated soft palate or uvula can narrow the opening from the nose to the throat

• Being overweight – Those who are overweight have extra, bulky throat tissue that may narrow the airways

• Obstructed nasal airways – Allergies, a nasal infection or a deviated septum can all contribute to snoring

• Alcohol consumption – Drinking alcohol before bed can relax muscles in the tongue and throat can obstruct the airways

• Sleep apnea – This is a serious condition when your throat tissues partially or completely block your airway, preventing your from breathing

Unless you have an upset spouse inform you that you are snoring, you may be unaware that you have a problem. Look out for the following symptoms if you suspect you are snoring:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sore throat
• Restless sleep
• Chest pain at night
• High blood pressure

To determine the cause of your snoring, your doctor will review your signs and symptoms, review your medical history, and perform an examination. Your doctor may request an x-ray or other imaging tests to check the structure of your airway. To determine is sleep apnea is the reason for your snoring, a sleep study to monitor brain waves, breathing and heart rate, and blood oxygen levels may also be ordered.

Lifestyle changes including losing weight, avoiding consuming alcohol before bed and changing your sleep position by either raising your head or sleeping on your side can reduce the liklihood of snoring. Other aids, such as nasal strips, form fitting mouth pieces, and short term decongestants for allergies or infections can also be helpful.

If these efforts prove unsuccessful, there are a variety of surgical and non-surgical interventions that your doctor could recommend. One of the most common therapies is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which involves wearing a pressurized mask that pumps air through your airways while you sleep.

Do You Have a Deviated Septum?

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Michael Hinck

If one side of your nose is often more congested than the other and if you have difficulty breathing, the problem might be a deviated septum.

What is a septum? It is the wall of bone and cartilage that separates your left and right nasal cavities. When this wall is crooked or displaced to one side, it can obstruct airflow and make breathing more difficult.

Some people are born with a deviated septum and others develop one as a result of an injury or a trauma to the nose. A deviated septum is not at all uncommon. In fact, four out of every five people have some degree of non-symmetry to their nasal septum. For most, the misalignment is not significant enough to cause any complications, but those with a more severe imbalance can suffer significant breathing problems and require treatment.

Common symptoms of a deviated septum are:
• Nasal congestion
• Difficulty breathing through your nose
• Recurrent sinus infections
• Frequent nose bleeds
• Sinus headaches and facial pain
• Post nasal drip
• Loud snoring or breathing while asleep

For some, a deviated septum can be treated with medications. If medications are unsuccessful in correcting the deviation, an otolaryngologist, or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor can perform a surgical procedure called a septoplasty to repair a crooked septum and improve breathing.

The surgery is usually performed in an out-patient setting under either local or general anesthesia. The procedure is usually completed in one to two hours with the patient being able to go home within three to four hours after surgery. There is normally little or no swelling after the procedure.

Jamaica Hospital’s team of ENT specialists can diagnose and treat patients with deviated septum. To make an appointment, please call 718-206-7001.