Archive for August, 2008
Do you snore? Have you ever wondered what is causing this snoring? Well snoring is a noise produced when an individual breathes during sleep which in turn causes vibration of the soft palate and uvula. The word “apnea” means the absence of breathing.
Snorers have incomplete obstruction of the upper airway. Some snorers have complete episodes of upper airway obstruction where the airway is completely blocked for a period of time, usually 10 seconds or longer. This silence is usually followed by snorts and gasps as the individual fights to take a breath. In case you are suffering from sleep apnea snoring, one of the main reasons for it can be a blocked breathing airway that in turn can be caused by allergies, poor positioning of the tongue or jaw and even by throat weakness.
Sleep Apnea Snoring Is Potentially Life-Threatening
Snoring apnea often causes you to gasp for air while you are sleeping which causes a concern on several levels the first one being that it is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. The risks of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea include heart attacks, strokes, impotence, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and heart disease
Snoring apnea episodes can occur thirty times in a night at the very least and as many as three hundred times at the other end. Each attack of snoring apnea can last longer then ten seconds and cause reduced oxygen levels in your blood and that in turn makes the heart work faster and harder.
In addition, when Snoring apnea persists over a few days there are other symptoms that will be cropping up including daytime sleepiness that can result in accidents, lost productivity feeling jittery as well as having poor concentration and even experiencing headaches. It also affects your personal relationship as your partner many not be getting a good nights sleep either and they also may be becoming irritable.
The type of people that snoring apnea is likely to affect are males as well as overweight persons and even people over forty years old will experience the problem. Apnea can also affect children as well. Even large tonsils or excessive throat tissue can cause snoring apnea and so too can an especially large size neck.
When you beginning to notice symptoms of snoring apnea, it is recommended to get the condition diagnosed at the early as possible go and visit your local doctor who can advise on the most appropriate treatment for you. Treatment can consist of self-help or getting continuous positive airway pressure applied or surgery and it is usually applied in case of very serious cases such as having a deformity in the nasal septum. The severity of the symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe.
Tags: Sleep centers are facilities that are built in order to diagnose and treat a wide variety of sleep disorders. They can be based in a hospital, university, or they can be freestanding facilities. Those sleep disorder centers that are accredited – such as the ones that treat snoring problems – are invited to become members of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has a strict set of criteria that endures quality treatment for the patients. For example, staff and doctors must be licensed and accredited by various organizations. The waiting rooms and offices must be observed for cleanliness and comfort. If you are seeking help for your snoring problem in Illinois, then perhaps you should research the many sleep centers that are accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. In a state as large as Illinois, snoring problem cessation should be relatively easy. A simple search can direct you to a facility that will serve your needs in an orderly, high quality manner.
The Sleep Health Center at Alexian Brothers Medical Center
One sleep center that can help your snoring problem for people of Illinois is the Sleep Health Center at Alexian Brothers Medical Center. This sleep center is located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. It has been accredited since October 30, 1998, and is run by medical director Robert Hart. Dr. Hart, as well as Drs. Massie and Pieta, are accredited by the Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine.
The Sleep Health Center at Alexian Brothers Medical Center requires you to have a doctor’s referral and will only treat patients one year or older. It is important that the patient consult with their insurance company regarding coverage, and that they schedule an appointment with a staff member over the phone so that they can receive information about their test.
The CGH Sleep Center at CGH Medical Center
The CGH Sleep Center is located in Sterling and it is another accredited center that can help those with a snoring problem in Illinois. It has been accredited since 2001 and does not require a doctor’s referral. This sleep center treats patients ages thirteen and older. They accept all forms of insurance, as well as Medicaid and Medicare. They request that on your first appointment, you bring a bed partner if they are available so that they can provide an accurate description of your problem.
For more information on these centers and on other sleep centers that can help you with your snoring problem in Illinois, visit http://www.sleepcenters.org/Centers.aspx?state=IL
Posted in Snoring
The sound of snoring is caused by air struggling to pass through your nose and throat. If they are blocked or obstructed in some way, it can lead to snoring.
One of the more common reasons for snoring is when the muscles in the neck and throat are not well toned. With some simple daily exercises, you can firm up those muscles which will often help with your snoring.
Because healthy breathing is very important to them, many vocal artists have come to appreciate the benefits of daily exercises that contribute to clear air passages. They have learned the importance of daily exercise of face and throat muscles. Keeping these muscles health and toned increases their ability to perform.
In many cases, similar exercises can be useful in helping to reduce or alleviate a snoring problem because they help open air passages and contribute to labor free breathing.
By including these exercises in your daily routine maybe your too could become a famous singer!
Following are seven easy exercises that you can do anytime and anywhere to help tone your muscles:
1. Slowly open and close your mouth, to its fullest. Do it in a controlled way and ensure that your lips meet when your mouth is closed.
2. Practice your kissing skills. Pucker up as if you were going to give someone a kiss, hold it for 5 seconds and then relax.
3. Practice your smile – make it big and exaggerated. Hold it for 5 second before relaxing.
4. Tightly press your lips together. Hold it for 5 seconds and then relax.
5. Press your lips together and then make a sipping noise, as if you were sipping a drink.
6. Stick your tongue straight out. Stick it out as far as you can and don’t let it relax. Hold it firm and straight.
7. With your tongue stretched out as far as it can go, move it left to right repeatedly touching the sides of your mouth.
By taking just a few minutes each day to do these simple exercises you may be able to completely resolve your snoring problem.