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Snoring

What is snoring?

Snoring is caused by vibrations of the soft tissues in the palate and throat. During sleep, the throat narrows as the muscles in its walls relax, and the resulting sound can be very loud. Certain nasal conditions can also contribute to snoring. In some cases, the throat becomes so narrow that breathing temporarily stops. This is known as obstructive sleep apnoea.

Ocurrence

  • Snoring becomes increasingly common with age.
  • At the age of 30, approximately 10% of men and 5% of women snore.
  • By the age of 60, the proportion increases to approximately 60% of men and 40% of women.

Common causes

  • Nasal congestion
  • Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS)
  • Enlarged tonsils in children
  • Enlarged adenoids in children
  • Other causes

Who can help you?

One of our ENT specialists will be able to carry out a thorough examination to reach the correct diagnosis and begin the appropriate treatment. We have standardised procedures and access to state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that our patients receive a comprehensive and prompt examination.

What is obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome?

  • Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, or OSAS, is a condition in which the patient experiences repeated pauses in breathing of varying severity and duration throughout the night.
  • The condition reduces the amount of deep sleep and REM sleep a person receives. Among other effects, this can lead to poor sleep quality and pronounced daytime fatigue.
  • Untreated sleep apnoea may increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.
  • Studies indicate that people with sleep apnoea may have a substantially increased risk of being involved in a road traffic accident.

Occurrence

  • The condition affects approximately 4% of men and 2% of women between the ages of 30 and 60.
  • It is believed that less severe forms of sleep apnoea may occur four to five times more frequently.

Common causes

  • Overweight
    • It is estimated that approximately 75 per cent of people with sleep apnoea weigh more than is considered normal.
    • The fact that obese people are more likely to suffer from sleep apnoea is probably linked to the build-up of fatty tissue under the tongue, on the soft palate and in the throat, which obstructs the passage of air.
    • Another reason is that the stomach presses against the chest and the respiratory organs.
  • Anatomy
    • Nasal polyps, a deviated nasal septum, enlarged pharyngeal tonsils, an overbite and a receding lower jaw are physical factors that can adversely affect airflow through the nose and throat. Some of these problems can sometimes be corrected with minor surgery.
  • Heredity
    • Sleep apnoea is more common amongst those whose parents have the condition. Researchers believe this is because genetic predispositions influence the structure of the muscle fibres in the pharynx. The structure of these fibres may determine whether sleep apnoea develops. Therefore, if sleep apnoea is detected in the family, it is advisable to pay particular attention to other family members.
  • Gender
    • The fact that sleep apnoea is more common among men is probably due to a different distribution of body fat and varying hormone levels. Approximately 4 per cent of Norwegian men and 2 per cent of women aged between 30 and 79 suffer from sleep apnoea.
  • Asthma
    • People with severe asthma – that is, chronic inflammation of the windpipe and pulmonary oedema – are more likely to suffer from sleep apnoea. Conversely, treating sleep apnoea can lead to an improvement in people whose asthma has not been successfully controlled by medical treatment.
  • Alcohol
    • Alcohol causes the throat muscles to relax. In people with sleep apnoea, alcohol can make breathing pauses longer and more severe. Therefore, those suffering from sleep apnoea should consider limiting their alcohol intake and avoiding it completely in the hours before going to bed.
  • Tabacco
    • Tobacco smoke irritates the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, causing inflammation. This restricts airflow, increasing the risk of snoring and apnoe. Regular smokers may also develop pulmonary emphysema, which further impairs oxygenation. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnoea, it is essential to give up smoking.

Who can help you?

One of our ENT specialists will be able to carry out a thorough examination to reach the correct diagnosis and begin the appropriate treatment.

We have standardised procedures and access to state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that our patients are assessed thoroughly and promptly.

About sleep

Normal sleep consists of two distinct physiological stages: REM and NREM. NREM sleep is divided into four stages that describe the depth of sleep.

During deep sleep, breathing is calm and regular, body and brain temperature drop, cerebral blood flow and glucose uptake are reduced, and brain electrical activity consists mainly of large, slow voltage fluctuations. The various stages of sleep are not yet fully understood, but in recent years numerous theories have emerged regarding their importance. However, it is already known that deep sleep plays a physiologically important role in relation to metabolism. During REM sleep, processes related to learning, memory and creativity take place in the body.

Sleep usually sets in within half an hour, and during the night one remains awake for just under half an hour. After falling asleep, the NREM phase gradually deepens. After around 90 minutes, the deepest phase of sleep is reached, at which point the cycle transitions to the REM phase. In a healthy person, the phases of night-time sleep alternate regularly until the final awakening. Deep sleep is concentrated in the first part of the night and REM sleep in the latter part.

The importance of sleep

Sleep is essential for good health. All humans and animals need sleep. Anyone who has had a bad night’s sleep knows how it can affect their mood, concentration and performance the following day.

However, sleep needs vary from person to person. That is why it is important not to judge your own sleep based on the number of hours you sleep. The quality of sleep – that is, the amount of deep sleep – is just as important as the number of hours. As a general rule, if you feel rested during the day, you have had enough sleep. This applies regardless of how many hours you sleep at night. Some people can function on less than six hours’ sleep, whilst others need nine hours or more to function well the following day. Both situations can be considered normal. It is important to remember that people differ in many ways, both in terms of height, weight and appearance, and in terms of their sleep needs. Looking at the general population, the average is around 7 to 7.5 hours of sleep, and the vast majority sleep between 6 and 9 hours.

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