Snoring

Studies have shown that in industrialized countries approximately 40% of the population snore. The percentage increases to 60% with men over the age of 60. Snoring is generated when soft tissue and muscles in the throat vibrates. REM (rapid eye movement) is a stage of sleep when all muscles are totally relaxed except the eyelids and diaphram are still functioning. During REM sleep, muscle tone in the throat and pharynx decreases. This causes a narrowing of the pharyngeal space, the required volume of air must be inspired at a higher velocity and noisy vibration (snoring) of soft tissues, such as the velum palatinum (soft palate) and the uvulum, occurs.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can be dangerous, causing not only sleepiness during the day but also various other serious diseases. This form of respiratory arrest lasts at least 10 seconds (or longer), before the patient resumes breathing in an explosion-like and noise generating event. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is defined as a respiratory arrest caused by restriction of the airways. Hypopnea is a reduction in respiratory volumes during sleep. The severity is assessed using the apnea index. An index up to 10 is considered normal, 10 – 20 is moderate and 20> is severe sleep apnea. This index can only be determined in a sleep laboratory.