Copyright (c) 2009 John Francis
There are a number of frustrated people out there who are irritated and grumpy from lack of sleep. What is frustrating them is that they, if they were allowed to, would have absolutely no problem falling asleep. What is keeping them from getting a full night of blissful sleep? Usually it is trying to sleep right next to a freight train or a jet engine taking off. That is what it feels like when their sleeping partner is a habitual snorer.
Researchers have discovered that snoring is the noise formed when turbulent airflow cause tissues of the nose and throat to vibrate during sleep. When, for whatever reason, the nasal passage narrows, turbulent airflow is the result. The same amount of air that is required for normal breathing now has to rush through this narrower passage, resulting in an increase in speed and turbulence. The narrowing of the nasal passage are due to a number of reasons. Three of these are:
Most muscles relax during REM sleep. Although there are many different stages of sleep, generally it can be divided into two (2) main stages: REM sleep and non-REM sleep. There are four (4) stages of non-REM sleep consisting of alternating periods of light and deep sleep. The body relaxes and generally repairs itself during these stages while preparing itself for the final stage - REM sleep. REM sleep is different in that there are a lot of physiological changes including twitching of the face, fingers and legs, and speeding up of respiration and heart rate. At the same time the brain signals all the muscles, except the breathing muscles, of the body to relax. When this happens, however, the tongue, palate and throat can collapse, narrowing the air passage which results in the vibratory noises we know as snoring.
2) Medication and alcohol. Some medicines, as well as alcohol, can encourage extreme relaxation of the muscles during sleep. Unfortunately, the muscles of the nasal passage can collapse as a result, reducing the airway and inducing snoring.
2) Sleeping position. Gravity can be a snorer's worst enemy. When lying down on the back gravity pulls on all the tissues of the body, including the soft and floppy palate, tonsils and tongue. Tissue vibration and snoring is the result of them being pulled back to such an extent that they narrow the airway.
Of the many reasons why the air passage may be narrowed or blocked, these are just three of them. The good news is that there are a variety of 'cures' for these and other causes of this annoying malady. They range from surgery to natural, exercise-based remedies. It is entirely up to the individual sufferer to choose what steps to implement to take care of this annoying problem.
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John Francis is a believer in natural solutions for lifestyle health issues. He is wary of the side effects of OTC and prescription drugs and believes they are only necessary in extreme emergencies. To learn more about snoring and its effects visit:
http://www.productsupplycenter.com/web274353
