As we fall asleep, the soft tissues at the back of the throat, the muscles that line the airway and the tongue muscle all relax. As relaxation occurs, the tongue drops back into the airway, causing it to narrow. As air passes through this narrowed airway, it moves faster and causes the tissues to vibrate against one another, which in turn causes the rattling familiar to anyone who lives with a snorer. The more serious condition of obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues in the back of the throat completely close off the airway because of the increasing pressure. The effect is similar sleep apnea and snoring sounds snoring pillow to what happens when a person tries to suck a thick milkshake through a narrow straw. Eventually, the straw simply collapses. This airway obstruction can lead to a reduction in oxygen reaching the brain and blood, and the brain signals the airway muscles to tighten up and unblock the air passage. The result is a loud gasp or snort and breathing begins again. Through the night, the process of blocking and unblocking the airway disrupts sleep, often leaving sufferers of sleep apnea debilitated and exhausted in the morning. In fact, drivers with sleep apnea are three times more likely to have an auto accident than the snoring cessation snoring pillow rest of the population. "Almost everyone can get help for snoring and sleep apnea," Parker says. "And there are many options for treatment." Strategies to minimize snoring, include sleeping on your side, losing weight if you are obese, relieving nasal congestion, minimizing bedroom light, noise and extremes in temperature, avoiding large meals just before bedtime, avoiding strenuous exercise within two or three hours of bedtime, avoiding alcohol or sleeping pills within four hours of bedtime, and avoiding caffeine, nicotine or other stimulants within four hours of bedtime. If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, Parker notes, it is important to be evaluated by a physician or sleep products to stop snoring snoring pillow disorder specialist
