Snoring is the loud or harsh sound that can occur when you sleep. You snore as you breathe and the flow of air makes the tissues in the back of the throat vibrate. Snoring happens when the tissues in your airways relax and narrows the airway. Airflow is constricted, the flow of air through the mouth and nose is blocked and causes a vibrating sound.
Snoring can be caused by a number of factors that can affect the airway such as:
• Sleep deprivation: The throat muscles might relax too much if a person does not get enough sleep and can cause snoring.
• Large tonsils, tongue, or soft palate: A long soft palate or a long uvula can narrow the opening from your nose to the throat. When you breathe, this causes them to vibrate and collide against one another, and the airway becomes blocked.
• Obesity: Being overweight can cause bulky throat tissue that can cause snoring.
• Alcohol consumption or drug use: Drinking alcohol or taking muscle relaxers can also make the tongue and throat muscles relax too much, which leads to snoring.
• The Deviated nasal septum or Nasal polyp: Problems in your nose such as a deviated septum (when the wall that separates one nostril from the other is off-center) or nasal polyps can also block your airways and leads to snoring.
Types of snoring:
Symptoms of Snoring:
Snoring is associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Snoring may be accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
• Witnessed breathing pauses during sleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Morning headaches
• Restless sleep
Treatment of snoring depends on the nature of the snoring and the types of problems it causes. Homeopathic medicines that can help in snoring are:
Opium: This homeopathic medicine is used for snoring in persons having a deep and heavy sleep. Loud snoring is accompanied by rattling. During sleep, there is a sensation of suffocation and a momentary stoppage of breath. In this remedy, Snoring occurs in asthma, due to apoplexy, in a coma, puerperal convulsions, with mouth wide open, with chest congestion.
Lemna Minor: Lemna Minor is used for snoring in persons with nasal polyps. Snoring due to obstruction in the nose accompanied by a foul smell from the nose, and postnasal dripping. Snoring from swollen nasal turbinate.
China: China is an excellent homeopathic medicine for snoring in children. Loud, and heavy snoring during sleep. Along with snoring, Moaning may also be present during sleep. Disturbed, unrefreshing sleep. The person cannot get rid of his dreams even after waking.
Kali Sulph: This medicine is indicated where the snoring persists even after the removal of the painful and large adenoids.
Nux Vomica: This medicine works well when the loud snoring is accompanied by shallow, oppressed breathing during sleep. The Person wakes up at 2 or 3 am, and lies awake for an hour or two, then falls into a heavy sleep and awakens late in the morning feeling tired and unrefreshed.
For more information, you can visit MayoClinic and HealthLine.
