Snoring

There are many pathologies that affect sleep, but those that affect the partner more than the sleeper are rare. That’s why au bon repos has decided to look at the particular case of snoring, also known as ronchopathy.

Why do we snore?

Snoring occurs during inspiration and it is the passage of air through the pharynx that causes this noise. More precisely, when we sleep, the muscles relax, causing the walls of the pharynx to collapse. This collapse in turn leads to partial obstruction of the pharynx, making it more difficult for air to pass through.

Sleep apnoea

Snoring is a real question of anatomy, since although everyone suffers from relaxation when they sleep, this does not mean that everyone snores. In fact, some factors are more conducive to snoring than others. Being overweight, for example, has a direct impact on snoring, since it causes the airways to narrow, further obstructing the passage of air. Nasal congestion, caused by a cold or allergies, also plays a role, as it forces the sleeper to breathe exclusively through the mouth. Finally, drinking alcohol or taking tranquillisers can also aggravate snoring, as they increase muscle relaxation.

Is snoring serious?

Snoring poses no health risk, apart from possibly affecting your partner’s sleep, who may suffer from chronic insomnia (on this subject, see our article on insomnia). In fact, ‘normal’ snoring reaches the same decibels as a voice, whereas major snoring can reach the decibels of a passing lorry. Under these conditions, it’s not hard to imagine the noise nuisance for the person sleeping in the same room. For the sleeper, however, snoring has no impact on the quality of sleep.

However, in some cases, the sleeper could also develop a less benign disease: sleep apnoea. According to the INSV, nearly 8% of the population suffers from this sleep disorder, characterised by frequent pauses in breathing and loud snoring. Unlike ‘classic’ snoring, sleep apnoea has a real impact on sleep, as it prevents the sleeper from achieving deep sleep (as each apnoea causes the sleeper to wake up), resulting in fatigue and drowsiness. It can also lead to more serious illnesses such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

How can I stop snoring?

As with everything, the best remedy is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is therefore strongly recommended that you watch your weight, avoid alcohol consumption and refrain from smoking. It’s also a good idea to look after your allergies and try to sleep on your side rather than your back. If these techniques don’t work, you can turn to orthodontic appliances for the night or, as a last resort, surgical treatment of the soft tissues. In all cases, it is essential to consult an ENT specialist to establish a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.