Snoring is something that millions of people do every night, but many people don’t realize they snore until someone points it out to them. When we think of snoring, we think of only larger, older men snoring so loudly that the whole house is woken up, but that simply is not the case. People of all ages, races, sizes and genders snore.
Snoring in Women
Many women are embarrassed to admit they snore, and few seek treatment. Snoring is nothing to be embarrassed about as it’s as natural a phenomenon as sneezing. While the physiology of what causes women to snore is the same as what causes men to snore, the contributing factors in women are very different than those for men.
As you continue to read, you’ll learn that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is very closely tied to snoring. The two disorders often go hand-in-hand, and skillful, experienced snoring dentists like Dr. Jeffrey Haddad are able to treat both of these conditions, ensuring better sleep and a much better quality of life for his patients.
According to a Mayo Clinic study conducted a few years ago, “one in ten middle-aged women have OSA…more likely to occur after menopause (the risk increases by 4% every year)… the reason is thought to be a combination of the post-menopausal loss of the protective hormonal effect and weight gain.” Menopause is probably the most common reason women snore, but here are some others:
- Being overweight can lead to an excessive amount of tissue around the
- stomach, abdominal region, and neck; more fat cells cause a smaller air passage to breathe through.
- Pregnancy—snoring is common during a woman’s pregnancy because of the hormonal changes happening throughout the pregnancy. The changes in hormone levels increase the amount of blood in the pregnant woman’s body and cause the blood vessels to expand. Blood vessel expansion leads to swollen nasal passages, forcing you to breathe through the mouth.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may cause snoring and sleep apnea due to an excessive amount of male hormones; an excessive amount of male hormones is also linked to both snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Millions of American women suffer from PCOS, and this condition is very closely tied to one another.
- Fatigue—When women are overly fatigued, the extreme relaxation of muscles will block the airway, causing snoring.
To learn more about how to stop snoring in women, please contact The Michigan Center for TMJ & Sleep Wellness.
In Children
Only about 27% of all kids snore, so in children is not a huge problem. When kids share a bedroom, it can become problematic because the snoring child will likely disturb the child who is not. Even though kids are typically sound sleepers, this can disrupt the life of a sibling. A child who snores frequently may need a snoring dentist. There may be a serious underlying cause, so frequent snoring in children definitely merits further investigation.
A condition known as “primary snoring,” also known as simple or habitual snoring, occurs when a child snores more than twice weekly but does not have other noticeable symptoms or health issues.
Snoring in Men
Men who are overweight and men who drink alcohol are very likely to snore. Fatigue and exhaustion will also cause a man to snore. The following is a list of the most common reasons men snore:
- Blocked nasal airways
- Poor muscle tone
- Bulky throat tissue
- Long soft palate or uvula
- Sleep position
If you’re tired of being tired, Dr. Jeffrey Haddad, Detroit snoring dentist, can help. The more you understand, the more you’ll come to understand that while snoring is nothing to be embarrassed about, it’s definitely something that can be treated.
Learn More About Snoring in Detroit
Eliminating snoring from your life will provide you with better sleep, and your family will benefit from better sleep in a number of ways. Productivity will increase, moods will lighten, and tension will be eased. If you’re looking for ways to treat snoring in Detroit, please fill out our online contact form or contact Dr. Jeffrey Haddad (248) 480-0085 today to schedule a new patient appointment.