HOW TO ADDRESS SNORING?

1- Ask your partner, a friend who has observed you sleeping, or record your sleep to become aware if you snore. While sleeping it is difficult to be aware if snoring is an issue.

2- If you do snore, ask your partner, a friend who has observed you sleeping, or record your sleep to become aware if you present also breathing pauses (apnoeas) or shallow breathing (hypopnoeas) while sleeping. While snoring is not a disease, it is the first step towards obstructive sleep apnoea, a common breathing disorder occurring in men during sleep.

3- Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol at night or use of sedatives. Smoking, alcohol drinks or use of sedatives reduce muscle tone, making your upper airways more likely to vibrate (snoring) and collapsing (apnoea/hypopneas).

4- Ask if you snore only in supine position (when you sleep on your back). In supine position the tongue weight reduces the airways caliber, thus favoring snoring & apnoeas.

5- Ensure you can breathe properly through your nose. A tight upper airways passage increases airflow resistance requiring higher pressure to breath once again favouring upper airways caliber reduction and favouring snoring & apnoeas.

If you have any query regarding snoring, please contact our pulmonology clinic in Dubai.