Posts Tagged ‘snoring symptoms’

Some Statistics About Snoring

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

Snoring affects a wide range of people studies have shown as many as 40% of American adults suffer from it. The following statistics show how much of a problem snoring can be.

  • As many as 30% of people age 30 and up snore. By the time they reach middle age, the number increases to 40%.
  • Men are roughly twice as likely to snore as women, but this ratio decreases after women reach menopause.
  • Children are not immune either 5.6% of children snore regularly.
  • 66% of married adults say they have a partner who snores.
  • When asked whether they snore or not, 59% of those same married people said they do.
  • Between 20 and 40 percent of adults who snore may actually be suffering from sleep apnea.
  • Roughly 9% of men and 4% of women from the ages of 30 to 60 have sleep apnea.
  • Children deal with sleep apnea as well studies show up to 10% of children suffer from it.
  • People who suffer from sleep apnea are up to 4 times more likely to have a stroke and 3 times more likely to have a heart attack
  • People who are affected by sleep apnea are up to 6 times more likely to have a serious car accident compared to those who are not, due to the fact that they are drowsy from a lack of quality sleep.
  • Drowsy driving leads to at least 100,000 car crashes and 1,550 deaths each year, according to the National Highway Safety Administration.
  • Partners of snorers and people with sleep apnea lose roughly 1 hour of sleep every night, waking up to 21 time an hour.

You can see from these statistics that snoring is a more serious problem than many people think. No matter how healthy you may be, you should get your snoring checked by a health care professional. Remember that it can affect other people as much or more than it affects you.

Stop Snoring Now!

The Link Between Snoring And Allergies Revealed

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

The noise that we all associate with snoring is a results of trying to force air through block or partially blocked airways. While it isn’t an illness in itself, snoring is often a symptom of other conditions one of which could be an allergic reaction.

Allergic rhinitis is a condition where the membrane lining the throat and nose becomes inflamed. It’s often set off by an allergic reaction to something that is inhaled. You’ve probably heard of seasonal allergic rhinitis – it’s more commonly known as hayfever.

When the lining becomes inflamed, it causes the airway to be blocked which can lead to snoring.

Hayfever is usually caused by trees, grass or other plant pollen and it’s usually a problem in the spring and summer. If you suffer from it all year (known as perennial allergic rhinitis) it’s often due to dust, dust mites, mould spores or pet fur.

The symptoms of allergic rhinitis are familiar to most people:

  • itchy eyes and nose
  • sneezing
  • red, watery eyes
  • runny or plugged nose
  • headache
  • and of course, snoring

If you haven’t been able to figure out what’s causing your hayfever, your doctor may give you a skin-prick test to determine exactly what is causing it. Even then, the cause is not always easy to determine so you may not be able to get rid of the cause.

In these cases, you’ll probably turn to some type of allergy medication. The problem with these medications, as it related to snoring, is that many of them contain antihistamines.

Antihistamines are often effective at treating allergies, but they’re also a depressant. As such, they can lead to the muscles in your throat and neck becoming more relaxed than normal while you sleep. When these muscles relax, it can lead to more severe snoring than normal.

If you’re suffering from allergies and are snoring at night, it’s best to avoid antihistamines before going to bed. If you need to use any medication, try to stick to a nasal decongestant, which can help your breathing while not contributing further to a snoring problem.

As with any health concerns, if you suspect you suffer from allergies or have a snoring problem you should always consult with a health care professional to get their informed opinion.

Stop Snoring Now!