Page 20 - Florida Sentinel 12-11-20

Health
up for weeks at a time.
YOU SLEEP ON YOUR BACK
This can make you snore or make it worse. Sleeping on your side is better, and cuddling with your partner -- “spooning” -- gets both of you on your sides. You also could try sleeping with two or three stacked pillows so you’re not flat on your back. If neither of those works, sew a small pocket between the shoul- der blades of a shirt that's a little tight. Put a tennis ball in the pocket so it’s uncomfortable when you roll onto your back.
THE SHAPE OF YOUR NOSE
If the thin wall between your nostrils didn’t form quite right, one side can be smaller than the other -- that’s called a deviated septum. That can make it harder for you to breathe and make you snore. The same can happen if your nose was hurt in an acci- dent. Talk to your doctor if you think something like this is going on with you -- surgery can some- times fix it.
THE SHAPE OF YOUR MOUTH
If the upper part of your mouth toward your throat -- your soft palate -- is low and thick, it can narrow your airway and make you snore. That also can happen if the small piece of tissue that hangs from your soft palate -- the uvula -- is longer than usual. You may be born with these things, but they can get worse if you’re overweight. Surgery can sometimes help with this, too.
IS IT YOUR MEDICATION?
Drugs that make you sleepy (called sedatives), muscle relax- ants, and some antidepressants can relax your tongue and the muscles in your throat. Some of the meds can also contribute to weight gain, which can exacer-
bate sleep apnea. Talk to your doctor if you snore and take any of those -- they may be able to change your meds.
SLEEP APNEA
Snoring can be a sign of a more serious condition called obstructive sleep apnea. That's a condition in which a person re- peatedly stops breathing for brief periods of time during sleep. It may make you gasp for breath or wake you during the night. Signs of it include dry mouth, headache, or a sore throat in the morning. It’s linked to stroke, high blood pressure, and heart disease, so see your doctor if you think you might have sleep apnea. They may recommend a device that helps you breathe while you sleep or, in some cases, surgery.
WHY IT HAPPENS
If you snore, it's because the relaxed tissues in your throat vi- brate as the air you breathe in rushes past them. About half of U.S. adults do it from time to time. Things like your weight, your health, and the shape of your mouth can make you more likely to sound like you're sawing logs during the night.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I SNORE?
If it’s loud enough to wake your partner, you probably have heard about it. If you don’t be- lieve them or sleep alone and want to know for sure, turn on a
voice-activated recorder before you fall sleep.
STUFFY NOSE
Anything that stops you from breathing through your nose can make you snore, like if you’re stopped up from a cold, flu, or al- lergies. Over-the-counter medi- cines or nasal strips can help open up those airways, but talk to your doctor if you’re stuffed
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