12 March 2008
Over the years many theories have been put forward as to why people snore. At one time it was thought that only humans snore but as anyone who has ever owned a dog can testify – that is not the case. It has been conjectured that snoring may have been an advantage in the Stone Age as the horrific sounds of snoring men would deter wild animals hoping to prey on sleeping females and children. It is more likely however that the stimulating effect of the female hormone progesterone on respiration accounts for the lower incidence in women as postmenopausal women approach the same prevalence as men.
It is reassuring to know that snoring affects the great and the good as much as it does the average man or woman in the street. As H Dugan wrote in 1947: “ Twenty of thirty two Presidents of the United States are proved or believed on a thick web of circumstances to have been nocturnal nuisances in the White House.” Roosevelt once snored so loudly whilst in hospital that almost every patient on his hospital wing filed a complaint.
Melvyn Switzer was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the loudest snorer. He was documented as reaching a sound level of 87.5dB in June 1984. A noise level of 80dB is akin to standing next to a pneumatic drill breaking concrete. His wife was deaf in one ear.
So if we accept that snoring is a huge nuisance for the listeners, what about the practitioners? Evidence has accumulated over many years to show that snoring and particularly its more serious relative, Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, carry significant health risks. These include high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, headaches, sexual impotence and an impaired quality of life. The effects of disturbed sleep and lack of ‘refreshing’ sleep can produce impaired intellectual function and depression. There is also the risk of falling asleep whilst driving or operating machinery.
Snoring is often described by those listening as reaching a crescendo and then stopping. Many spouses describe this as the most frightening aspect of their partners’ sleep. It may appear as though breathing has stopped. When this occurs the airway has usually become obstructed and it may take many seconds before it is cleared. This is described as apnoea. As sleep takes up approximately a third of our lives it is understandable that this kind of repeated stress on the body can have adverse effects.
At the London Road Clinic we take these complaints very seriously. All patients are invited to meet with an experienced medical consultant – ideally with a spouse present to describe the snoring and breathing pattern. Following examination, an overnight study of sleep is performed A further meeting with a medical consultant is then arranged at which the data is analysed and discussed with the patient. The sleep study used at The London Road Clinic is revolutionary in not only analysing the degree of sleep difficulty but also identifying the level of the airway at which the problem is occurring. In many cases surgery can transform a life of misery to one of refreshing sleep and a happy spouse. Surgery is offered in conjunction with Spire Hospital Leicester and is performed under anaesthetic as a day case. In those instances where surgery is not the answer medical alternatives can make a huge difference.
For further information about the ENT treatments available at The London Road Clinic, or about our ENT consultants and ENT facilities, please contact us.