The subject of snoring is an all time
favorite among stand up comedians. There is a lot of humor to be found in people
making loud noises while asleep. However, the fact that snoring is a medical
condition should not be overlooked. Most people who snore do not know it unless
they are told so by the person who shares the bed. Keeping your partner awake
at night because of your snoring may seem like a relationship issue, not a
medical one. This is a mistaken premise. Snoring, or sleep apnea to give it the
correct medical name, can, if not treated, lead to serious medical problems.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
When extra tissue is present in the throat,
it can partially obstruct the airway and vibrate as air flows over it during
periods of sleep when the muscles are relaxed. This vibration results in the
sound we call snoring. The actual sound and volume that snoring produces varies
from person to person. The incidence of snoring increases with age. While this
condition affects both sexes, it is marginally more common among men.
There are two types of sleep apnea – obstructive
and central. In the case of the obstructive type, which is the most common,it
is the obstruction of the airway that causes the sound. With central sleep apnea,
the partial obstruction is exacerbated by the brain not sending the required
signals to the muscles to expand and contract to allow for proper air intake. While
both types of sleep apnea are conditions that require medical treatment, the
rarer central sleep apnea is more dangerous.
The Causes
People who are overweight are more prone to
snoring. In addition, there are several genetic factors such as extended soft
palates, long uvulas and enlarged tonsils that can cause snoring. Respiratory diseases
may also result in a person starting to snore.
The Effects
People who snore do not realize the dangers
that the condition poses which are both physical as well as psychological. A
person may be in bed for a normal period and may seem to be deeply asleep
during that time. However, the sleep is not a restful one because of the strain
that snoring places on the respiratory system and the rest of the metabolism. A
snorer will often experience fatigue during the day and will lack the ability
to focus or concentrate. The condition can also lead to the development of high
blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and other serious medical issues.
Treatment
The common ways of dealing with snoring
include the use of decongestants on a regular basis, the use of mouthguards to
force the airways to stay open, etc. The problem with these is that they only try
to stop the sound on a day to day basis. They do not offer an effective long
term cure for the condition as the cause for snoring remains untreated.
Homeopathic treatment for sleep apnea works
by breaking down excess mucus in the airways, reducing inflammation, clearing
up congestion in the lungs and also by acting on other
physical causes of snoring. The medications are made using naturally occurring substances
and are not drugs produced in laboratories. This means that they are safe,
effective and do not result in any addiction. There are a number of homeopathic
medicines available and a homeopathic doctor will be able to prescribe the ones that will be most suitable, based
on the type and cause of the problem.
Homeopathy offers an effective and safe
cure for snoring/sleep apnea and not just a way of controlling it.
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