Snoring is a phenomenon that is observed in many people when they are resting. Dr Beidjam Abbia Oryon gives us the causes, consequences and treatment of this phenomenon.
According to Beidjam Abbia Oryon, general practitioner at CHU la Renaissance, snoring is a sound produced by the vibration of the tissues of the pharynx caused by the narrowing and relaxation of the muscles of the respiratory tract (the nose, pharynx and larynx). It affects men more than women because men have a narrower palate than women. “Snoring in women most often begins following menopause. This is due to the drop in female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. “, a-he specified.
He continues that the causes of snoring are diverse. He counts three namely the modifiable causes, anatomical and genetic. “Some people snore when they have drunk alcohol, when they sleep on their back or when they have taken certain medications that relax the muscles of the airways such as muscle relaxants and others”he explains.
Can also be the causes of snoring certain factors such as obesity, smoking, pregnancy and history of allergic diseases such as rhinitis. “ Rhinitis causes what is called nasal congestion and these nasal congestions are responsible for snoring“, he indicated. According to the GP, anatomical changes such as large tonsils, narrow palate can also lead to snoring. There are also genetic predispositions, he added.
“Snoring is responsible for divorce in some couples. This alters the cohabitation within a couple and has an impact on the quality of life of these people”, underlines the doctor.
Treatment depends on the cause and may involve several medical areas. First, if the person sleeps on their back and snores often, they just change their position, which will free up the airways and allow breathing to take place in the normal way. For people who have rhinitis, they should use decongestants, ie products that will allow the person to breathe normally, he advises.
There are also anti-snoring pillows, weight loss, stopping smoking and alcohol, physical activity and surgery that are recommended to deal with this phenomenon.
