Sometimes when we sleep, the muscles that hold the airway open relax and partially collapse, obstructing the flow of air slightly. Air passing through the partially collapsed airway can cause a vibrating sound known as snoring.

Figure 2 Upper airway

Figure 3 Blocked respiration

Who suffers from Snoring?

Approximately 44% of men and 28% of women between the ages of 30-60 suffer from habitual snoring. It has also been shown that people with excess body weight, a long soft palate, an enlarged uvula and large tonsils may be more prone to snoring than others. Furthermore, 30% of all snoring patients have OSA(Obstructive Sleep Apnea)

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious condition in which the sufferer stops breathing during sleep due to a completely blocked airway, sometimes for up to a minute at a time. OSA is an extremely serious condition that can result in extremely fragmented and of poor quality sleep, and should be treated by a qualified physician.

The Cycle of OSA

1. The sufferer falls asleep.
2. Muscle tone in the body relaxes.
3. The airway narrows and/or collapses, causing breathing to be difficult or impossible. The collapse of the airway may cause loud snoring, snorts, pauses in airflow, and labored breathing.
4. Oxygen levels begin to fall.
5. They continue to struggle for breath, sometimes for up to a minute.
6. The heart rate falls below normal, and there is decreased oxygenated blood to pump through the body.
7. The brain senses low oxygen/high carbon dioxide levels and releases jolt of adrenaline in an attempt to awaken their brain and body and prevent suffocation.
8. The sufferer awakens briefly and takes five or six large breaths breathing in oxygen and blowing off excess carbon dioxide (CO2). The sufferer typically does not remember arousal but often repositions him or herself on the bed.
9. The heart rate speeds up in response to the rush of adrenaline and is now pumping above normal heart rate.
10. The oxygen/carbon dioxide levels return to near normal and their brain allows sleeping to resume.
11. The sufferer falls asleep and the cycle repeats
    

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