What Is Snoring?
Snoring is a phenomenon whereby there is difficulty in breathing while asleep. There is an obstruction in the movement of air through the nose and throat of an individual that suffers from snoring. The obstruction is caused by throat or nasal tissue, which vibrates and causes unpleasant sounds. Snoring gets louder with an increase in pressure of the airflow because of the vibrations in the tissue increase. It is more prevalent in men than women as research shows that roughly 40% of men and 20% of women snore.
Causes of Snoring
Any condition that affects the airway while breathing can cause snoring. Some of them are:
- Drinking too much alcohol before bedtime, as this can make the throat muscles to be relaxed, which leads to snoring.
- Unique mouth anatomy can cause snoring depending on the palate of the person. A high, thin hard palate is least likely to cause snoring.
- The position of sleeping can also result in snoring. Sleeping on your back has a higher probability to cause snoring because of the effect of gravity on the throat.
- People with frequent nasal problems are more likely to snore. The obstruction of the nasal passageway causes snoring.
- There is also a direct relationship between snoring and age. 10% of 17-29 year olds frequently snore; so do 40% of people over 50 years old. It becomes less likely after the age of 70.
Technology and Snoring
There is no sure cure for snoring, but there are new technologies that help in managing it such as:
Phillips SmartSleep Snoring
This is ideal for people whose snoring are caused by their sleeping position. It works with a very simple mechanism that is easy to use. It has a sensory-band that is worn around the chest and detects when the user is sleeping on the back. This activates a vibration that makes the person turn to the side.
Hupnos Snoring Mask
This works with Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure (EPAP) technology. It is a mask that is worn, which then urges the wearer to change the sleeping position. It also helps to raise the pressure on exhalation in order to reduce snoring.
Urgonight EEG Headband
This uses electroencephalography (EEG) technology, a method of detecting and recording brain activity which is electrical. The sensors help users to learn and adjust to better sleeping techniques. After all the information has been collated, biofeedback therapy is done for a period of an hour per week.
Conclusion
In this modern era, there are already several innovative solutions to the snoring problem at our disposal, as shown above. For just the right amount of money, you could get yourself out of it within a relatively short period of time. Fortunately, there are high-tech solutions for other sleep problems as well.
