It can be a sign that she is suffering from hypertension, which is a frighteningly prevalent cause of death for the pregnant woman. It can also be a sign that the unborn child is at risk for growth retardation or even death.

In pregnant women snoring can be a warning of pre-eclampsia, which is the condition that includes hypertension, swelling of the limbs and protein in the urine. It can also be a sign of toxemia. Another indicator is excessive sleeping during the day. During pregnancy there is a marked increase in blood. This is to help nourish the baby. But, because of this increase the blood vessels in a woman’s body will also get bigger.

This becomes a problem as the blood vessels of the nose and throat increase in size, which also prompts the mucus membranes to bloat. This causes an obstruction, making it more difficult to breath. It also makes her snore.

Studies have shown that snoring increases during pregnancy. It has been shown that by the last three months of pregnancy, twenty four percent of women are snoring. Or if they previously were snorers then there is a marked increase in the volume.

Eleven percent of pregnant women have an excessive weight gain, which in itself will cause snoring. Women who already snored were found to have to deal with additional snoring, but as well they seemed to suffer from more severe swelling of the hands, face, feet and legs. One of the concerns is that pregnant snorers tended to also have infants with difficulties.

The babies were often born with low birth weights and lower APGARs with most babies not scoring above seven. This was seen in seven percent of snoring moms, many of who also smoked which is another factor in low birth weight.

There are a few things a pregnant woman can do to improve the nights sleep, hopefully making it a night with less snoring, include avoiding caffeine. Caffeine narrows the airways and so can cause more snoring. Sleeping on the side with an extra pillow will help to open the passageways. They can also try using a snoring appliance like nasal strips that are an easy and relatively inexpensive method to alleviate a snoring problem.

Pregnant women are more susceptible to increases in breathing problems, particularly upper respiratory issues because as they gain weight, pressure winds up being put on the diaphragm and so restricts unproblematic breathing.

Consequently, if you are concerned by an increase in snoring of your pregnant partner, a visit to your health provider may benefit both them and your unborn child. Bear in mind that caution is always better than regret.

Tip 8 – Develop good sleeping habits. One of the side effects of snoring can be fatigue and a lack of energy. It can therefore be very easy to just take a nap here and there. Although it is important to be alert when driving, making napping into a habit can make the problem even worse if it leads to insomnia.

Tip 9 – There are numerous anti-snoring devices available on the market including a pillow that forces the snorer to sleep on their side. Sleep position is known to contribute to snoring and those who sleep on their backs tend to be worse snorers so a side sleep position is to be encouraged.

Tip 10 – I know this sounds incredibly simple, but if your partner is a snorer, you are less likely to be disturbed by their snoring if you go to bed first and manage to fall asleep before they do. I know in some cases this may not make much of a difference if you are a light sleeper of if they are really noisy, but it’s worth a shot.

Tip 11 – If you feel really tired, a long walk can be very refreshing and re energising. Just make sure not to exercise too late in the evening as exercise can induce heavy sleep and heavy sleep periods very often co-inside with snoring.

Tip 12 – One home made remedy to try against snoring is to sow a pocket on the back of the snorers night garment. Place the pocket a little bit below the shoulder blades and put a ball in it. The idea is that it prevents the snorer from sleeping on their back. Sleeping on their back is the worst position for snoring.

Tip 13 – Avoid alcohol and sedatives as they will relax the tissue in the airways and will the snoring stronger.

Tip 14 – If at all possible keep your bedroom well ventilated and cool. If you don’t have air conditioning and if it is practical, keep a window open. If you do have air conditioning use it a little just to keep the bedroom temperature cool during the night. Ventilate the bedroom fully during the day.

Tip 15 – If you do have an operation to your throat and nose to get rid of snoring, consider that most patients will begin to snore again after 2 to 3 years, although a little less loud than previously. It may be necessary to go back to get the procedure redone.

Solution: To help you find the answers, we suggest you start by learning all you can about snoring through the guides and resources available on this website. Then, take a look at some of the programs and products that there are available to help with snoring. You may also want to take a look at some of the snoring books available.

Recommendations:

1. Get started by reading articles on snoring!
2. We recommend reading: Devices to Stop Snoring
3. Check out our interview on the “Noiselezz” mouthpiece

It is wise though to first sit down and talk with your doctor or healthcare provider to learn everything about your condition and to discuss treatment methods. Ask your doctor what are the best ways you can help to improve your medical situation. Keep in mind that it is essential to follow your doctor’s instructions and to use these suggestions in conjunction with the prescribed treatment, whether it be CPAP, surgery, etc.

Many individuals consider these “self-help remedies” to be lifestyle changes. Be aware that these changes can also improve other medical conditions and are beneficial in improving an individual’s overall health and well being.

Weight is one important aspect that makes a difference in sleep apnea. If you are overweight or obsess lose the weight. Even losing a few pounds can make a difference in sleep apnea symptoms. An excessive amount of weight on the body can make sleep apnea worse in two different ways.

First of all those who are overweight tend to have thicker necks and more fatty tissue in their neck area. Too much fat in this area can obstruct the airway and make collapse more likely. The other contributing factor is too much weight in the abdominal area makes it more likely for the muscles that control breathing to work insufficiently. Breathing muscles that don’t work to their optimum best can make breathing during nighttime sleep tremendously more difficult.

Some people find it a struggle to lose weight and prefer to attempt to lose weight or go on a special weight loss plan after they have commenced their sleep apnea treatment. This is perfectly fine. The important thing is to lose excess weight if it is necessary. If you are of a normal weight then you have nothing to worry about in this area!

Smoking makes sleep apnea a great deal worse as it contributes to a “decreased lung capacity.” As well smoking causes throat muscles to relax excessively thereby making it possible for the airway to become obstructed. Many people believe that nicotine patches are one of the best ways to help quit smoking.

Alcohol consumption should be decreased in general and should never be consumed three to four hours before bedtime. Drinking alcohol serves to depress the reflexes of breathing and by so doing, causes a case of sleep apnea to get worse.

Besides alcohol, it is a wise to avoid sleeping pills, tranquilizers and other medications, prescription or otherwise, that can interfere in any way with normal breathing patterns.

When you suffer allergies, throat infections or colds these can all cause narrowed airway passages and congestion in the sinuses and nose. The viruses and bacteria that cause these health problems can make sleep apnea worse.

As well medication taken for these conditions can encourage sleep apnea episodes. Speak to your doctor before taking meds for any condition that could potentially bother your breathing.

Age is one factor. More people thirty years and older experience sleep apnea with the highest occurrences being in men over the age of forty.

Sleep apnea is far more common in men than it is in women. It is believed that on average twelve to twenty million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, ranging from mild to moderate to severe. Breaking this down into gender, approximately twenty-four percent of men in the general population have it while only nine percent of women do. Premenopausal women are less likely to suffer from sleep apnea then menopausal or post menopausal women and for reasons unclear to researchers, the occurrence of the sleep disorder is more evenly matched among the sexes after women are finished with menopause. Many studies have been done looking at the gender gap in relation to sleep apnea. Some studies point to the fact that it is two to three times more widespread in males than in females. However research studies done in sleep clinics across the country have shown results that men are five to six times more likely to experience this health problem.

Genetics plays a role in this disorder, however how large a role is unknown. If there is a family history of sleep apnea, whether it be males or females you are more likely to develop it at some point in your lifetime. There seems to be a genetic predisposition towards sleep apnea while people who have family history are less likely to become afflicted by it.

Race also plays a role according to researchers. Those of African American ethnicity as well as Hispanics and Pacific Islanders are more likely to develop the problem than are Caucasians. However that does not mean that Caucasians never develop it at all but it is in reduced rates in relation to other races. Black people tend to develop sleep apnea earlier in their lives than do Caucasian individuals.

Any medical condition that interferes with the breathing process can contribute to the onset of sleep apnea. In particular deformities to do with the spine such as scoliosis can cause problems and may bring it on.

Health conditions such as Down syndrome or Marfan’s syndrome that contribute to abnormalities of the head and face known as craniofacial problems can greatly increase a person’s chances of developing sleep apnea.

As mentioned earlier, menopause seems to play a role in developing sleep apnea. Women going through menopause are more likely to develop it than are younger women and the occurrence rates in the sexes are more evenly matched after menopause comes to an end.

Sleep apnea is believed to affect anywhere from 1.6 to 3.4 percent of young children. It is hypothesized by experts that “sleep disorder breathing” can be found in eleven percent of children in the general population. One specific study yielded the result that while the incidence of sleep apnea rises with age, the many health problems that accompany it tend to become less severe. For example it was shown that those before the age of forty-five have more serious health consequences than those who are older.

Studies have shown that those who live in rural areas tend to suffer more incidences of sleep apnea than those who live in urban areas. However those who live in cities tend to suffer from insomnia and disturbed sleep more often. This is believed to be related to stress. Of all races in the United States those who are African American tend to have a higher likelihood of developing this sleep disorder as opposed to other ethnic groups.

Being overweight can pose a risk for developing sleep apnea especially for those who have an accumulation of fat in their abdominal areas (these people are often thought to be “apple shaped”). This is as true for adults as it is for children and teenagers. Sometimes even losing ten pounds or less can have a positive effect. It is important to point out that not everyone who experiences “sleep-disordered breathing” is overweight. This is especially the case when it comes to women and children.

There are a few physical characteristics that also seem to predispose an individual to be more likely to develop sleep apnea. For example having a larger neck may play a role. This may also partially explain why men are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea than women. The risk is greatest for men who have a neck circumference of seventeen inches or more and for women who have a neck measurement of sixteen inches or higher.

Other physical characteristics that play a role include having a narrow upper jaw; having an overbite; having a chin that recedes, having a long lower portion of your face; having a large thick tongue and having a long, stiff soft palate.

The Pillar Procedure is gaining in popularity because it is not as invasive as some of the other surgical procedures and it doesn’t take up too much of a patient and doctor’s time (on average it requires one quick visit to the physician’s office). The Pillar Procedure has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its willingness to treat both cases of snoring as well as sleep apnea and it is also clinically proven. In tests done utilizing the Pillar Procedure approximately eighty percent of sufferers noted a positive improvement in their nightly sleep apnea patterns. Many noted that episodes were dramatically decreased.

One reason for sleep apnea is that the “soft palate vibrates during snoring and can block the airway.” When it comes to the Pillar Procedure three tiny inserts are placed into the soft palate to offer a sufficient amount of support. The inserts are not visible to the human eye and they do not cause problems either with speech or with swallowing. These reasons alone make the Pillar Procedure a viable option.

The Pillar Procedure deals with the soft palate and calls for the injection of three tiny woven inserts into the soft palate that are geared at decreasing the vibrations that bring about snoring as well as prevent the soft palate from interfering with, or blocking the flow of air. Structural support is encouraged by way of the inserts and over time they blend into the natural tissue structure for continued support. At the time of the procedure the patient’s soft palate is given a local anesthetic to numb it and then the doctor goes ahead with implanting the inserts by way of a special medical tool. In some cases a mild painkiller will be prescribed to the patient for use if there is discomfort after the anesthetic wears off. This procedure does not even have to be done at the hospital; it can be done right in the doctor’s office.

The material that the Pillar inserts consist of has been used in other implantable medical devices for an excess of fifty years. Most patients report little if any discomfort and there is a short recuperation period. Many people return to their regular eating habits as well as their regular activities very quickly, some as soon as the same day or the day preceding the procedure.

The risks involved with the Pillar Procedure are very minimal. In fact only one percent of those treated with this method ever suffer any adverse effects. As well if so desired, the procedure can be reversed. It is important to be aware that the effectiveness of the procedure depends on a number of factors which include the size of a patient’s tonsils, their tongue position and their body mass.

The implant procedure that is creating quite a buzz in the medical community is known as the pillar procedure, and it involves small implants that are placed within the soft palate. The implants and the scar tissue that is created by the surgical procedure helps to provide a level of support to the soft palate so that it is not as easily collapsible. This can cause the airway of those with obstructive sleep apnea to be more open, allowing the patient to breathe more properly throughout the evening. The soft palate of those who have the pillar procedure tends to stay in place, as opposed to falling back which commonly occurs in those with the disorder. Studies show that a full two thirds of all mild obstructive sleep apnea sufferers can benefit from the treatment, and it has been approved by the FDA. The surgery is an outpatient procedure, and it has been performed with a very reasonable success rate by doctors for the past four years. The implant takes roughly thirty minutes to install, and three small implants are placed throughout the palate.

While the long-term benefits of this surgery are not yet realized, it shows much promise in helping those with a mild case of apnea to reduce their problem. The implants in the palate do not pose much of a problem to the patients, as they cannot be felt after being implanted. Also, if the implants prove to be of little success, they can be easily removed via another surgery. While not a complete solution to the problem caused by obstructive sleep apnea, these implants represent a new hope for those who have a mild form of the condition. As with any serious medical procedure, it’s important to get a proper opinion from your trusted health care professional. Also, if you feel unsure whether or not your condition merits the treatment, a second opinion is advised. For those who wish to learn more about the Pillar procedure, you can contact Cynthia Harding, the Public Relations Director of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at cynthia.harding@cshs.org.

SleepApnea.org
What else do I need to say that the American Sleep Apnea Association website is a must have internet favourite. As if you didn’t know already The American Sleep Apnea Association is a non-profit organization that promotes education, awareness and research into sleep apnea. A must-have website.

SleepQuest.com
Well, a collection of internet favorites would not be complete without sleepquest.com. SleepQuest specializes in treating obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep disorders by providing innovative diagnostic and treatment services in the convenience of the patient’s home. This website is an information resource worth visiting.

ApneaNet.org
APNEA Network is a site worth having a look at. It has information about CPAP machines as well as on apnea itself. The most compelling reason to go visit though is the patient stories.

CPAPTalk.com
This is a forum based online support group really and a massive great big resource about sleep disorders and apnea. Most definitely a place to bookmark and hang out.

National Institutes of Health
This webpage is the sleep apnea resource from the National Institutes of Health and is a basic collection of links to other pages with related information I know you will find useful. Go there now and then go for a 5 minute walk around the house.

TheSleepSite.com
This is a website for The Columbus Community Health Regional Sleep Disorders and has a wealth of information on all sorts of sleeping problems and disorders. A great relic of a site that has survived because it IS that good.

Stanford.edu – Apnea Article
Here is a great article from the ancient depths of the internet age anno 1999. It is well worth the read I tell you. Save the page any way you can because you never know when the page might disappear – it is that old after all!

Tip 2 – Approximately twenty million American residents are believed to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea of varying degree. It is estimated that at any given time the number of people being treated for sleep apnea is fewer than 500,000.

Tip 3 – Obstructive sleep apnea can range from mild to moderate to severe. For those with mild to moderate cases, doctors often suggest as a first step, making lifestyle changes to help control the problem. Some of these changes include losing weight, quitting smoking and not consuming alcohol or sedatives right before bedtime, altering one’s sleeping habits and using nasal strips.

Tip 4 – Smoking can make a case of sleep apnea worse and therefore an effort should be made on the patient’s part to beat the habit.

Tip 5 – All alcoholic beverages should be avoided at least four to five hours before bedtime and no tranquilizers or sleeping pills should be taken. All of these substances contribute to a worsening of the health condition as the tissues of the throat often sag in response to the consumption of them and breathing becomes restricted.

Tip 6 – Episodes of sleep apnea can be decreased by sleeping on one’s side instead of on one’s back and by using one pillow instead of two.

Tip 7 – Nasal strips that can be purchased over-the-counter (such as Breathe Right) can be beneficial in opening up the nasal passages for some individuals.

Tip 8 - The most common signs or symptoms of sleep apnea include loud and consistent snoring, gasping or choking throughout the night, excessive daytime fatigue and frequent episodes during sleep when breathing is labored or stops all together.

Tip 9 – Always keep the lines of communication open between yourself and your doctor or healthcare provider. Ask all of the questions you need to regarding the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea as well as the sleep test used to diagnosis the condition

Tip 10 – Lifestyle changes are the first course of treatment for sleep apnea. These include quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol at least four hours before bedtime and not consuming any type of sleeping pill or sedative.

Tip 11 – Even a few pounds loss can be helpful for those suffering from mild sleep apnea. It is also recommended that sleep apnea sufferers sleep on their side and not their stomach or their back. Which side is not of much importance but sleeping on one’s side can serve to keep the throat and airways clear and open.

Tip 12 – If you suffer from sleep apnea, please remember that oversized pillows are not recommended and neither is it recommended to use more than one pillow while you sleep.

Tip 13 – There are oral plastic mouth appliances that can be custom-fit for a patient either by a dentist or an orthodontist that can bring some degree of relief from symptoms. These oral mouth devices are meant to keep the airway clear and open while the patient sleeps. These devices are best at reducing how much a patient snores on a consistent basis.

Tip 14 – Keep in mind that you may need to try a variety of treatments to find the one that works best for your specific condition. Some people try one for a while and then move on to others to see if they bring more relief. The most effective treatment for a person is often dependent on how many symptoms they suffer from and how severe each symptom is.

Tip 15 – An alternative therapy sometimes used for sleep apnea sufferers is flower remedy/essence therapy. The therapy used in this case is a flower remedy known as Vervain. Vervain has a tendency to calm and relax people. Not only does it help symptoms of sleep apnea in some sufferers but also Vervain is also excellent when it comes to lowering levels of stress and helping those with high blood pressure.