Stop Snoring During Pregnancy
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by: BernardLoten
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Snorers come in all shapes, sizes, and varieties of human beings. And snoring may have as its cause a variety of medical conditions, as well as muscle tone, obesity, and airway obstructions. Women, men, and children can all suffer from snoring.
Snoring during pregnancy can be an especially worrisome problem. Sometimes, a condition called hypertension can lead to snoring during pregnancy. Both mother and fetus can be threatened, even to the point of death, by this devastating condition. And the fetus can suffer from developmental delays as a result of hypertension.
Pregnant women who snore may also be leaning toward pre-eclampsia, a condition that causes swelling of limbs, hypertension, and excess protein in one's urine. Snoring can also indicate toxemia. Finally, excessive daytime sleeping may indicate other potential problems.
During pregnancy the mother's body produces extra blood to provide nourishment to the growing fetus. Her blood vessels increase in size at this time, throughout her body. However, when vessels in the nose and throat area enlarge, sometimes the mucus membranes become bloated. This can lead to obstructions causing breathing difficulties and strong snoring.
Studies have shown that the frequency of snoring increases during pregnancy. It has been suggested that by the last three months of pregnancy, twenty four percent of women will snore. Women who snored before pregnancy will experience a marked increase in the volume.
Perhaps eleven percent of women gain weight to excess during pregnancy, and that alone can cause snoring. Researchers found that women who snored previously tended to have greater snoring, and often swelling of the face, legs, hands, and feet.
Babies, too, can suffer from snoring moms. Some babies have low birth weights, and often the APGAR scores are seven or less if their mother snored. Approximately seven percent of snorers have babies with reduced APGAR scores. However, many of the women in this particular study were also smokers, which can itself cause severely reduced birth weight.
Eliminating or at least reducing snoring during pregnancy is a laudable goal. There are a few things women can easily do at home to help. Eliminating caffeine can help because caffeine narrows airways, leading to snoring. Many moms find a large body pillow and side sleeping will help keep breathing regular.
Using nasal strips is another effective method to reduce or stop snoring. Nasal strips are non-invasive, prescription-free appliances that are worn on the outside of the nose to open the airways during sleep.
Pregnancy can lead to increased susceptibility to breathing problems such as upper respiratory issues. With weight gain comes increased pressure on the diaphragm, leading to restrictions in breathing for many women.
But if you let your snoring act as a warning flag, you can discuss the problem with your healthcare provider. She can give you advice about your current needs, and outline potential problems for your fetus. Snoring is not just a silly habit. Treat is as a medical condition, and you will be less likely to risk complications for your new infant.
About the Author
Columnist Bernard Loten contributes to several popular web magazines, on healthy family and man fitness themes.
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