Snoring and Sleep Disorders
Snoring occurs when the muscles at the back of the throat relax during sleep and cause loud vibrations…
When the muscles at the back of the throat relax during sleep, sometimes they can fall further than normal; partially blocking the airway. The air rushing past these muscles then causes them to vibrate, making the sound we all know as snoring.
Those suffering from snoring may also suffer from:
- Poor muscle tone in the tongue and throat – this occurs when muscles are too relaxed and the tongue falls backwards into the airway.
- Excessive throat tissue – conditions such as cysts in the throat, bulky neck tissue or enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
- Obstructed nasal airways – when the nose is blocked this requires extra effort in order to breathe properly, which can cause loud snoring.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea…
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) occurs when the muscles at the back of the throat actually block the passage of air, which stops the sufferer’s breathing momentarily. The brain then has to kick-stark the breathing process in order to obtain oxygen, which wakes the sufferer up. This can happen hundreds of times a night without any recollection from the sufferer.
How can you help my Obstructive Sleep Apnoea?
Our elite surgeons will be able to conduct a clinical assessment and help to decide whether they have a significant issue. Often, the cause of OSA in children can be pinpointed to large, oversized tonsils and adenoids, however your surgeon will be able to discuss whether tonsil removal is advisable.
